This Cold Blast is Nothing to Mess Around With

The coldest weather we've had in a decade?  That's what we're hearing.  Maybe longer.  With wind chills well below zero, it's nothing to ignore.  We need to be safe.Sure we have been through this before, but it's human nature to 'forget' the safe things to do to keep ourselves and our kids well.

So, here are some obvious but needed tips from the American Red Cross on how to stay protected.

Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.
Watch for symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.
Don’t forget your pets – bring them indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.
Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.

Be smart, and be careful.