| Cold Weather Safety Tips from the New York State Emergency Management Office. |
The Oaks Corners Fire Department and the New York State Emergency Management Office urges New Yorkers
to follow these safety tips to protect themselves, their families and their loved ones from freezing conditions.
Sub-zero conditions over several days can cause problems such as frozen water pipes and even dangerous
situations, especially when care is not taken with alternative heating sources such as woodstoves, fireplaces
and kerosene heaters. Fire hazards are greatly increased in the winter because alternate heating sources
often are used without following proper safety precautions.
Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and the very young. Also, don’t forget to take care of your
pets.
Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly, physically handicapped or infirmed.
Pay attention to the news for official, up-to-date information on weather conditions. The best way to receive
emergency information is by subscribing to NY-ALERT, the State’s alert and notification system, at www.nyalert.
gov.
Dress appropriately by wearing loose, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Outer garments should be
tightly woven, water repellent and hooded. Always wear a hat or cap on your head. Cover your mouth with a
scarf to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves because fingers
maintain more warmth when they touch each other.
Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, especially in children and the elderly.
Watch for the following symptoms: inability to concentrate, poor coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness,
exhaustion, and/or uncontrollable shivering, following by a sudden lack of shivering. If a person’s 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.
Frostbite can occur when working or playing outdoors during the winter. In the early stages of frostbite, there is
no pain. Watch for danger signs: skin may feel numb and become flushed, and then turn white or grayish-
yellow; frostbitten skin feels cold to the touch. If frostbite is suspected, move the victim to a warm area. Cover
the affected area with something warm and dry. Never rub it! Get to a doctor or hospital as quickly as possible.
Prevent pipes from freezing by turning on both hot and cold water faucets slightly, preferably in a basement
sink – running water will not freeze as quickly. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to non-insulated
pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. If you plan to leave your residence, drain and shut off the
water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).
If your pipes burst, make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water. Stopping water flow
minimizes damage to your home. Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent. 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.
If you should lose power, turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is
restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored. Make sure fuel space heaters are used with
proper ventilation. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food
spoilage.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer claiming about 1,000 lives each year in the United States.
Such common items as automotive exhaust, home heating systems and obstructed chimneys can produce the
colorless, odorless gas. The gas can also be produced by poorly vented generators, kerosene heaters, gas
grills and other items used for cooking and heating when used improperly during the winter months. Symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches and dizziness. If you suspect carbon monoxide
poisoning, ventilate the area and get to a hospital immediately.
When using a generator, never run it indoors. Deadly carbon monoxide gas from the generators exhaust can
spread throughout enclosed spaces. Run generators outside, downwind of structures. Install a carbon
monoxide detector. Keep children away from generators at all times.
When using a kerosene heater, follow the manufacturers’ instructions. Use only the correct fuel for your unit.
Refuel outdoors only when the unit is cool. When using the heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.
Stock up on emergency supplies, including flashlights, a portable, battery-operated radio, extra batteries,
bottled water, non-perishable food, and a first aid kit.
Make sure your automobile is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half-full. Keep the following items
in your car: blankets, extra clothing, flashlight, spare batteries, windshield scraper, shovel, towrope, and jumper
cables.
to follow these safety tips to protect themselves, their families and their loved ones from freezing conditions.
Sub-zero conditions over several days can cause problems such as frozen water pipes and even dangerous
situations, especially when care is not taken with alternative heating sources such as woodstoves, fireplaces
and kerosene heaters. Fire hazards are greatly increased in the winter because alternate heating sources
often are used without following proper safety precautions.
Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and the very young. Also, don’t forget to take care of your
pets.
Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly, physically handicapped or infirmed.
Pay attention to the news for official, up-to-date information on weather conditions. The best way to receive
emergency information is by subscribing to NY-ALERT, the State’s alert and notification system, at www.nyalert.
gov.
Dress appropriately by wearing loose, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Outer garments should be
tightly woven, water repellent and hooded. Always wear a hat or cap on your head. Cover your mouth with a
scarf to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves because fingers
maintain more warmth when they touch each other.
Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, especially in children and the elderly.
Watch for the following symptoms: inability to concentrate, poor coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness,
exhaustion, and/or uncontrollable shivering, following by a sudden lack of shivering. If a person’s 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.
Frostbite can occur when working or playing outdoors during the winter. In the early stages of frostbite, there is
no pain. Watch for danger signs: skin may feel numb and become flushed, and then turn white or grayish-
yellow; frostbitten skin feels cold to the touch. If frostbite is suspected, move the victim to a warm area. Cover
the affected area with something warm and dry. Never rub it! Get to a doctor or hospital as quickly as possible.
Prevent pipes from freezing by turning on both hot and cold water faucets slightly, preferably in a basement
sink – running water will not freeze as quickly. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to non-insulated
pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall. If you plan to leave your residence, drain and shut off the
water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).
If your pipes burst, make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water. Stopping water flow
minimizes damage to your home. Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent. 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.
If you should lose power, turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is
restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored. Make sure fuel space heaters are used with
proper ventilation. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food
spoilage.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer claiming about 1,000 lives each year in the United States.
Such common items as automotive exhaust, home heating systems and obstructed chimneys can produce the
colorless, odorless gas. The gas can also be produced by poorly vented generators, kerosene heaters, gas
grills and other items used for cooking and heating when used improperly during the winter months. Symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches and dizziness. If you suspect carbon monoxide
poisoning, ventilate the area and get to a hospital immediately.
When using a generator, never run it indoors. Deadly carbon monoxide gas from the generators exhaust can
spread throughout enclosed spaces. Run generators outside, downwind of structures. Install a carbon
monoxide detector. Keep children away from generators at all times.
When using a kerosene heater, follow the manufacturers’ instructions. Use only the correct fuel for your unit.
Refuel outdoors only when the unit is cool. When using the heater, use fire safeguards and ventilate properly.
Stock up on emergency supplies, including flashlights, a portable, battery-operated radio, extra batteries,
bottled water, non-perishable food, and a first aid kit.
Make sure your automobile is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half-full. Keep the following items
in your car: blankets, extra clothing, flashlight, spare batteries, windshield scraper, shovel, towrope, and jumper
cables.
