Safety Tips on Dealing with the Deep Freeze in Greenwich

If someone is in need of shelter due to homelessness or other reasons, please contact Infoline 2-1-1, they will act as a clearinghouse to ensure that shelter space is found for those who need it. Residents are encouraged to review the safety tips below provided by the American Red Cross.

Protect Yourself from Freezing Temperatures

Avoid unnecessary exposure to the cold. Be aware of both the temperature and the wind chill when planning outdoor activities. When you prepare to go outside in severe cold weather, please remember the following:

• Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

• Dressing in layers helps you retain heat. You can remove layers as needed if you become too warm.

• Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

• Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.

• Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

• Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

Heat Your Home Safely

As families turn to alternative heating sources to supplement their home heating systems, they should take the following precautions:

• Use caution with portable space heaters - Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. About two-thirds of home heating fire deaths are caused by portable or fixed space heaters.

• To prevent fire, place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people.

• Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don’t leave children or pets unattended near space heaters.

• Drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire hazard.

• Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly and replace batteries as necessary. REMEMBER: smoke alarms have a finite lifetime and should be replaced after 10 years. Many newer models have long-life batteries that do not need replacing during their 10 year lifespan. More information about preventing home fires is available by clicking here.

• Don’t overload your electrical outlets when plugging in space heaters. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.

• Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season.

• Use a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires. Burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs.

• Create a disaster supplies kit — Get together lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle.

Visit www.redcross.org/prepare for more information on disaster preparedness.

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Photo credit: Flickr.com

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