Dangerous extreme cold with temperatures, strong winds, and wind chill temps as low as - 45 degrees below zero will commence early Friday morning, February 3rd. Prepare now!
Keep an eye on https://www.weather.gov/ for updates.
💪 Please check in on neighbors, especially those who are elderly, have a disability, and are sick, to ensure their heat is working and that they have food, water, medications, and fuel to keep their home heated. If they need medical attention, call 911.
⚠️ Given the dangerously cold conditions, it is safest to stay home. If you have to venture out, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive, and dress as though you will be outside for an extended period - even if running an errand.
🚙 If you have to drive, ask yourself, do I have what I need to stay warm should my car break down?
𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐊-𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑:
Step 1: Click this link 👉 https://nextdoor.com/city/feed/?open_composer=true&hashtag=neighborcheck
Step 2: Where it says, “What is on your mind, neighbor,” type in something like, “I am checking to make sure everyone is safe and warm - reply to check-in.”
Step 4: Click “Next”
Step 5: Under "Post to your feed," click on "Anyone" and change it to "Nearby neighborhoods" to reach neighbors close to you
Step 6: Click "Post"
Step 7: Monitor and respond to comments by your neighbors.
To see who has checked in, click this hashtag - #neighborcheck
𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒:
✅ Make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms on each floor of your home. Test them today by pressing and holding the test button on the alarms.
🚫 Never use a gas oven or stovetop to heat your home.
💯 Check to ensure exhaust vents are snow-free to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐌 𝐔𝐏:
✅ Please plug all space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
🚫 Never use an extension cord.
🚫 Do not plug anything else into the same outlet as your space heater. Doing so could result in overheating.
✅ Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
➡️ Make sure your heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off.
➡️ Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people and pets.
➡️ Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
➡️ Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
➡️ Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
➡️ Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
➡️ Turn off the heater when you leave the room and go to sleep.
Here is more information on winter heating and space heaters. https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/heating?utm_source=nextdoor
𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐎 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄:
Keep in mind that depending on the temperature and wind chill, exposed skin can become frostbite in a matter of minutes, and you could also get hypothermia.
✅ Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive
✅ Dress as though you will be outside for an extended period.
✅ Wear multiple layers.
✅ An outer shell to block the wind.
✅ A hat, face mask, winter boots, and gloves.
𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐘𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐀 & 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐄:
Hypothermia is a significant and potentially dangerous drop in body temperature. Signs can be shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness. If someone is exhibiting signs of hypothermia, call 911 and get them to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first, such as the head, neck, and chest. Keep them dry and wrapped in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the face, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can make skin numb and change color to white or grayish-yellow. Skin can also become firm or waxy. If you see signs of frostbite, go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄:
✅ Ensure your tank is AT LEAST half full.
✅ Check tire pressure to ensure proper inflation.
✅ Bring your cell phone charger.
✅ Bring warm boots, clothes, mittens, and blankets if your vehicle breaks down or gets stranded.
✅ Bring food and water for each person traveling with you.
✅ Make sure you also have a bag of sand, a snow scraper/brush, jumper cables, flares, and a flashlight.
𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄:
✅ Check the weather forecast and road conditions before your head out.
✅ Call 511 or visit your state's DOT webpage to check road conditions.
✅ Check your battery, wipers, coolant, and tire pressure before you head out.
𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍:
✅ Remain in your vehicle until rescue crews arrive.
✅ Don't leave your vehicle running, so you don't run out of gas.
✅ Turn on your car from time to time to stay warm.
✅ Check the exhaust pipe to ensure it is not blocked to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐒:
✅ Key them warm, dry, and indoors whenever possible.
✅ Consider using pee-pads so your pet can relieve themselves indoors.
✅ Provide plenty of food and water. Dehydration is especially dangerous in winter.
✅ When outside, keep them bundled up. Limit outside time and thoroughly clean them (including paws) when bringing them indoors.
𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐎 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓:
✅ Keep freezers and fridges closed as much as possible.
✅ Switch off electronics to avoid damage from surges.
✅ Place generators outside, at least 20 ft., away from the house and NOT in your garage.
If you are using a generator, make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms in your home, and do not use a generator in a wet area or when it is raining, as this can cause shock or electrocution.
Do not fuel your generator when running, as spilling gas on a hot engine can cause a fire. Also, connect appliances to the generator with heavy-duty extension cords.
Lastly, do not back-feed the generator by plugging it into an outlet, as this is dangerous and can seriously injure or kill line workers.
For more safety tips, please see ➡️ http://ready.gov/power-outages
𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒:
😔 It's common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, isolated, or distressed during extreme weather.
🫶 You're not alone: The National Disaster Distress Line 1-800-985-5990 offers 24/7 confidential, multilingual emotional support https://bit.ly/2XYr0HO
If you have other tips, share them in the comments, and kindly repost this message to your neighbors on Nextdoor by clicking the "Share" button below and then "Repost."
Be safe, neighbors!
