[OldNorth] Preparing for Cold Weather courtesy of Yolo County Red Cross

[sheryl lynn gerety]

	From: 	  comdir at yc-arc.org
	Subject: 	Preparing for the Cold Weather
	Date: 	January 9, 2007 2:38:53 PM PST
	To: 	  undisclosed-recipients:;
	Reply-To: 	  comdir at yc-arc.org

Hi!

*
Here is some valuable information about Cold weather I thought I would 
share with you. It is supposed to be very cold Thursday through Sunday 
here in Northern California.*

As sub-zero temperatures, snow, high winds and ice coat the nation this 
week, the American Red Cross urges families to take precautions to keep 
safe. Cold weather often results in power outages, frozen pipes and 
other life-threatening events when people use unsafe alternative heat 
sources and don't take precautions against the cold. The elderly and 
the very young are especially susceptible to hypothermia, frostbite and 
other cold weather health problems.

The Red Cross believes that keeping safe and warm in cold weather means 
you have to take care of home heating hazards, dress appropriately and 
prepare for cold weather emergencies.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, four out of 
seven home fires occur during December, January and February. About 
half of these fires are caused by using candles and overloading 
electrical circuits. As families turn to alternative heating sources 
out of necessity or to avoid the rising cost of oil and gas, they 
should take the following precautions:

    * *Be careful with candles —* Do not use candles for lighting if the
      power goes out. Use flashlights only.
    * *Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves —* 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
      screen when burning fires. Burn only wood - never burn paper or
      pine boughs.
    * *Use generators correctly —*
      <http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_565_,00.html>
      If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always
      plan to keep the generator outdoors-never operate it inside,
      including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator
      directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to
      connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on
      the generator. Connecting a cord from the generator to a point on
      the permanent wiring system and backfeeding power to your home *is
      an unsafe* method to supply a building with power.
    * *Create a disaster supplies kit —* Get together lifesaving items
      in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.redcross.org
      <http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html>
      for a list of materials.
    * *Prevent frozen pipes —*
      <http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_579_,00.html>
      When the weather is very cold outside, open cabinet doors to let
      warm air circulate around water pipes. Let the cold water drip
      from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the
      pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing
      because the temperature of the water running through it is above
      freezing. Keep the thermostat set to a consistent temperature.
    * *Check smoke alarms —* Make sure alarms are working properly and
      replace batteries as necessary.
    * *Be aware of overuse of electrical outlets —* Don't overload your
      electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present
      hazardous walkways.

As you prepare to be outside in severe cold weather, please remember 
the following:

    * Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
    * Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat,
      preferably one that covers your ears.
    * Dress in warm layers so you can remove items if you get too warm.
    * 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.
    * 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.

-- 
Diana Gustafson Director of Emergency Services American Red Cross of 
Yolo & Lake Counties 120 Court Street Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 662-4669 phone
(530) 662-5114 fax

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