Simsbury Activates Severe Cold Weather Protocols

Town of Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT — The first major cold snap of the season is expected to hit tonight, with the Town of Simsbury announcing the implementation of cold-weather protocols.

Extreme cold weather, with temperatures averaging 10 to 20 degrees below normal with wind chills close to zero at times, is forecasted beginning Thursday, Dec. 4, through Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday put the state under cold-weather protocols.

Due to the upcoming expected low temperatures, the Town of Simsbury and the Simsbury Department of Community and Social Services would like to remind residents of the best practices to stay warm.

It is essential to stay warm and dry and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

If you have ceiling fans, run them in the clockwise direction to push warm air back down to the floor; block drafts with pool noodles, towels, or blankets; and keep your thermostat set at a steady temperature. If you must be outside, dress warmly and be sure to cover your head and hands, and protect yourself from the elements as best as possible.

Try to stay inside where it is warm, and please check on elderly family members and neighbors, and never leave children or pets in an unattended vehicle.

During times of extreme cold, steps should be taken to protect your pipes from freezing.

It is recommended that you keep your home heated at no lower than 55 degrees, leave cold water dripping from your faucets, and open cupboards to allow heat to circulate around the pipes. Locate your shut-off valves in case of emergency.

It is essential to also take caution while heating your home. If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful. Turning on the stove for heat is not safe. Never use generators, gas or charcoal grills, camp stoves, or similar devices inside your home, in basements, in garages, or near windows.

The fumes are deadly. Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are
properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.

Please visit the following link for additional details on preparedness.

The town has also made available warming centers due to the cold:

The Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, is open during normal business hours, should you need a warming center during this time.

Library hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30-8:30, Friday and Saturday 9:30-5:30, Sunday 1:00-5:00.

For further information, or if you or someone you know is at risk due to the extremely low
temperatures, call the Simsbury Community and Social Services Department at 860-658-3283
between the hours of Monday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Should you or anyone you know need shelter, call 211 or visit https://www.211ct.org/ at any time.