New Yorkers: Prepare For More Sub-Zero Temps, Extreme Weather

NEW YORK — New Yorkers are being urged to prepare for another blast of winter weather, as temperatures across the state are expected to drop well below freezing in the coming days.

In a statement released Monday, New York's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services outlined which regions may be hit hardest and how residents can stay safe during extreme winter weather.

Several regions across the state, especially those adjacent to Lakes Erie and Ontario, should expect wind chills as low as -20 and -30 degrees to begin later today and continue into Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.

This type of weather makes suffering from hypothermia and frostbite more likely, and increases the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning (thanks to portable space heaters and fuel-burning appliances).

Several areas in Central New York and the North Country are expected to get up to two feet of lake effect snow, with winds gusting up to 40 mph at times through Tuesday. Officials say travel will be difficult at times, as roads may be slippery due to a mixture of blowing snow and below-freezing temperatures.

"Weather conditions across the state will bring extreme cold until Wednesday and many of the same areas will see dangerous travel conditions until tomorrow because of heavy snow, high winds, and the dangerously cold temperatures," said Acting Commissioner Jackie Bray. "I'm cautioning New Yorkers that extreme cold temperatures can cause frostbite to exposed skin in minutes, so limit your time outdoors and know where to take shelter if needed. If you are able, check in on neighbors and loved ones and make sure they are safe."

For the most current weather warnings, watches, and advisories in your area, visit the National Weather Service Public Alerts website.

Safety Tips

Frostbite

• Stay inside during severe cold
• If you must go out, try to cover every part of your body (mittens are better than gloves)
• Keep skin dry and stay out of the wind when possible
• Hydration helps prevent frostbite
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes — caffeine constricts blood vessels and prevents warming of extremities, alcohol reduces shivering, which helps keep you warm, and cigarette use shuts off blood flow to your hands
• If you suspect frostbite, until you can get indoors, don't rub or massage cold body parts
  • Drink warm liquids, put on extra layers of clothes and blankets, and remove rings, watches, and anything tight
  • Once indoors, don't walk on a frostbitten foot — you could cause more damage. Get in a warm (NOT hot) bath and wrap face and ears in a moist, warm (NOT hot) towel
  • Don't get near a hot stove or heater or use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or a hairdryer (you may burn yourself before feeling returns)
  • Frostbitten skin will become red and swollen and feel like it's on fire (if you get blisters, don't break them, they could cause scarring)
  • If your skin turns blue or gray, is very swollen, blistered, or feels hard and numb even under the surface, go to a hospital immediately

Hypothermia

• Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable
• Watch for the following symptoms:
  • Inability to concentrate, poor coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Drowsiness
  • Exhaustion
  • And/or uncontrollable shivering, followed by a sudden lack of shivering
• If body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, get emergency medical assistance immediately
  • Remove wet clothing, wrap the victim in warm blankets, and give warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated liquids until help arrives

Protecting Water Pipes

• Avoid frozen water pipes and protect your home or business by following these steps:
  • When it's cold, let cold and hot water trickle at night from a faucet on an outside wall
  • Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall
  • Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees
• If you plan to be away, have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems)
• If pipes freeze, make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst (stopping the water flow minimizes damage to your home)
• Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch
• Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water
• Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent

Be "Fire Safe"

Heating equipment is among the leading causes of home fires nationally and in New York State, according to officials.

Here's how to stay safe:

• Buy and carefully maintain a quality smoke and carbon monoxide detector
• Inspect your home to eliminate or control fire hazards
• Install at least 5-pound A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach family members how to use them
• Establish a well-planned escape route with the entire family
• Hold practice fire drills until all family members are thoroughly familiar with plan
• If you have an older home, have the wiring checked by a qualified electrician to make sure it meets current building codes
• Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected yearly for creosote build-up, cracks, crumbling bricks or mortar and any obstructions
• Keep storage areas clean and tidy
• Keep curtains, towels, and potholders away from hot surfaces
• Store solvents and flammable cleaners away from heat sources
  • NEVER keep gasoline in the house.
• Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs

Maintain and Inspect Home Heating Appliances

Proper maintenance and an annual inspection of heat pumps, furnaces, space heaters, wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connections by qualified specialists can prevent fires and save lives, according to officials. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, venting, fueling, maintenance, and repair. Review the owner's manual to make sure you remember the operating and safety features.

• Space Heaters – Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture, window treatments, bedding, clothing, rugs, and other combustibles
• Avoid the use of extension cords with electric heaters. Always turn off space heaters before leaving the room or going to bed
• Fuel Burning Appliances – Inspect the shut-off mechanism and wick for proper operation. Fill the tank with fresh fuel. Let the heater cool down before refueling
  • Adding fuel to a hot heater can start a dangerous fire
• Wood Burning Appliances and Fireplaces – Do not burn trash in the wood stove or fireplace. Burn only well-seasoned hardwoods
  • Be sure the fire you build fits your fireplace or stove, don't overload it
  • Be sure wood stoves are installed at least 36 inches away from the wall
  • Keep combustible materials well away from the fireplace, stove, and chimney
  • Keep the area around them clean
  • Always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from leaving the fireplace and starting a fire
  • Never leave a fire unattended
• Chimneys – Creosote accumulation is the leading cause of chimney fires, according to officials
  • A chimney that is dirty, blocked, or is in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue and can also cause a chimney fire
  • Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable
  • An annual chimney inspection by a qualified chimney sweep can prevent fire or carbon monoxide poisoning
• Ashes – Keep wood stoves and fireplaces free of excess ash buildup
  • Excessive ash buildup prevents good circulation of air needed for combustion
  • When removing ashes, use a metal container with a tight-fitting cover
  • Always place ashes in an outside location away from structures
  • Ashes that seem cool may contain a smoldering charcoal that can start a fire

• Carbon monoxide is produced anywhere that fuel is burned and is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S., according to officials
• Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and invisible killer, and the ONLY safe way to detect it is with a carbon monoxide alarm
• Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches, and dizziness
• If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, ventilate the area and get to a hospital

Other Heating Safety Tips

• Make sure chimneys and vents are checked for blockages, corrosion, and loose connections
• Open flues completely when fireplaces are in use
• Use proper fuel in space heaters
• Never burn charcoal or a barbecue grill inside a home or enclosed space
• Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, or vehicle
• Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open
• Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping
• Never use the kitchen stove for heating a house
• Never run a gas-powered generator in a garage, basement, or near any overhang on the home...keep it at a distance

Winter Driving

Transportation crashes are the leading cause of death and injury during winter storms, according to officials.

• Before getting behind the wheel:
  • Make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving
  • Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars
  • Be extra cautious while behind the wheel and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children (always match your speed to the road and weather conditions)
• Snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit, to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways
  • Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, as this is the most efficient and safe way to clear several lanes at one time
  • Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly
  • Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions
  • Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely
  • The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted
• Some of the most important tips for safe driving include:
  • When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary
  • Use caution on bridges as ice can form quicker than on roads
  • Wet leaves on roadways can cause slippery conditions, making it important to drive at slower speeds when approaching patches of them
  • Make sure your car is stocked with blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick-energy foods, and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag
  • Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline freeze-up
  • If you have a cell phone or two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling
    • If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location
  • Make sure someone knows your travel plans
  • While driving, keep vehicles clear of ice and snow