Stay Warm and Safe in Extreme Cold Weather With These Simple Tips Healthpluser

With winter freeze advisories comes the potential for power outages and food shortages. To better prepare for these bouts of freezing temperatures and snow, we asked experts to share their tips on how to stay warm and prepare for emergencies.

Staying Warm

The best way to stay warm is by staying indoors and limiting your overall exposure to frigid temperatures. Staying outdoors for a long time during extremely cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia and frostbite.

If you’re outdoors when it’s freezing, pay close attention to the warning signs and symptoms of hypothermia, which include:

• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

When you do need to go outside, make sure to wear clothes that cover your body parts, such as a scarf that covers your face and mouth, a hat, gloves, a water-resistant coat, and boots. You can also add instant heat packets, such as HotHands, under your clothes or hats and gloves. These packets trap heat and provide an extra layer of warmth.

Most often, frostbite affects the nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, and fingers. If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, it might be an early sign of frostbite.

When you’re indoors, take off wet clothing immediately and keep yourself warm with dry clothing and blankets.

Preparing for a Winter Freeze 

Extreme weather events can trigger food hoarding and stockpiling. While you shouldn’t hoard food and exacerbate the issue, it’s a good idea to keep a few items in your pantry.

It’s best to stock up on nutritious and protein-rich foods, especially in the event of a power outage, said Rachel Dowty Beech, PhD, assistant professor of the Emergency Management Program at the University of New Haven.

Examples include nutrition bars, nuts, crackers, dry cereal, and bottled water. “Canned goods live up to their good name in emergencies, so long as you remember to have a hand-operated can opener,” Beech said.

If you have a portable gas stove, you can also consider buying instant oatmeal, dehydrated food packets, and pasta. Don’t use it inside unless it’s designed for indoor use.

Preparing for a winter freeze also means drawing up a plan for potential power outages. Make sure your phones and electronic devices are fully charged, and check the weather daily.

“If the temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing within a day or two, drip your faucets to help avoid frozen pipes,” Beech said. It’s best not to drip the faucets if you live in an area where temperatures are below freezing, as this can cause ice buildup in the pipes, she added.

Lastly, Beech recommends opening any cabinet doors, such as those in the kitchen under your sink, so the heat can easily get to the pipes and prevent them from freezing.

Driving During a Winter Freeze

Because weather conditions can be dangerous to travel in, all non-essential travel is discouraged. If travel is required, take public transportation instead of driving whenever possible.

The National Weather Service advises carrying a winter survival kit in your car that has the following supplies:

• Jumper cables
• Flashlights
• First aid kit 
• Baby diapers, formula, and food
• Non-perishable food
• One gallon of water 
• Basic toolkit with pliers, wrench, and screwdriver
• Pet supplies
• Radio (battery or hand-cranked)
• Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
• Shovel to dig out, if needed
• Ice scraper
• Extra clothes and blankets

“A lot of these supplies also constitute good preparation for other emergencies when the electricity goes out, so if you can get all or some of these items, they’ll come in useful in times when there may not be a freeze, but there’s still no electricity,” Beech said. “Remember: there are people out there without power or electricity, so if you can buy extra and give to your local shelter or food pantry, please do.”