Full Notification

EXTREME COLD ADVISORY
 
The National Weather Service is predicting that the current cold temperatures will not be leaving our area for at least the next 10 days or so.  Temperatures are not expected to reach above freezing and with wind factored in, could feel like below zero.  With this in mind, we urge residents to take the following precautions:
 

• Stay indoors
• If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.  Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.  Wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to reduce heat loss.
• If you must be outside, limit the time you spend in the cold. If possible, take a break somewhere warm and protected from the wind.  At these temperatures, frost bite can afflict a person in as little as 30 minutes.
• Check on elderly and sick neighbors.  Help to ensure that they are warm enough and free from the danger of hypothermia.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal¬ burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Keep these devices at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. This will help prevent a build up of Carbon Monoxide.
• To help keep from getting hypothermia, keep the temperature at no less then 65 degrees.  This will also help in keeping pipes heated and prevent ruptures.
• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.
• Watch for signs of frost bite which include -  pale, waxy-white skin color; skin becomes hard and numb; usually affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet and nose.  If you suspect frost bite, call 9-1-1.
• Watch for signs of Hypothermia which include - fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool bluish skin; slurred speech; clumsy movements; irritable, irrational or confused behavior. If you suspect someone is suffering from hypothermia, get them into a warm environment (NOT A TUB OF WATER) and call 9-1-1.