Cold Weather Safety Tips From Plainfield Fire Protection District

PLAINFIELD, MO — It's cold. Really cold. But, the Plainfield Fire Protection District has some tips to stay safe and warm as the Polar Vortex descends on Plainfield.

First, fire officials say, dress appropriately for the weather. Wear layers and make sure your coat is water-repellent. Wear a hat or a hood, cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold, wear mittens, and do your best to stay out of the wind.

Frostbite can happen almost instantly in temperatures this cold, officials warn, so stay alert for the signs: numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, waxy or overly-firm skin. If you think you have frostbite, get to a warm place as soon as possible and soak the affected appendage in warm water. Don't massage the area or use a heating pad, as that can cause more damage.

Hypothermia is also a risk. If the body's temperature drops below 95 degrees, it can cause a medial emergency. Untreated, it can be fatal. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. If you think you or someone you know has hypothermia, call 9-1-1 immediately and get to a warm area as soon as possible. Warm the center of the body while waiting for help to arrive, and make sure the person is try. Wrap warm blankets around their chest, neck, head and groin.

Officials say to bring pets inside. If you're cold, they are too. But remember to keep anything flammable away from portable heaters, fireplaces, furnaces or wood stoves. Keep children back as well. Only plug portable space heaters directly into an outlet, not an extension cord, and have your furnace inspected annually by a professional.

If you have a fireplace, dispose of ashes once they've cooled in a metal container with a lid and keep it at least 10 feet away from your home or other buildings. Don't use flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire. And have your fireplace inspected and cleaned annually.

Never use your oven or stove to heat your home, as officials say it can release potentially toxic fumes into your house.

Frozen pipes are also a concern. If your pipes freeze, don't thaw them with a blow torch or open flame, as you can easily set your house on fire instead, officials warn. Use hot water or a hand-held dryer, or call a plumber.

Finally, make sure all your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are in working order.

For more information, call the Plainfield Fire Protection District at 815-436-5335 or visit plainfieldfpd.org. You can also find winter safety tips at ready.gov/winter.

Find a list of warming centers in Will County here.

Image via NOAA