As the area hunkers down against the bitter cold that will hang around through the holiday weekend, the American Red Cross offers reminders about staying safe and as warm as possible through this especially cold snap, which will bring sub-zero temperatures and blustery conditions.

Weather experts predict temperatures could drop as much as 40 degrees below normal, and regional CEO of the Red Cross in Eastern NC Barry Porter said safety should be a priority. “The Red Cross wants to help everyone prepare for the worst weather this winter to avoid any accidents that may place anyone in danger,” Porter said in a press release.

As temperatures plummet, the demand for power surges, which could create power outages.

The American Red Cross offers the following reminders during this dangerous cold weather and during other severe weather events:

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY:

• Stay indoors and wear layers of loose fitting, lightweight warm clothes.
• Check on relatives, neighbors and friends, particularly if they are elderly or live alone.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling snow, pushing a vehicle or walking in deep snow.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide an extra layer of insulation to keep cold air out.
• Make sure you have enough heating fuel on hand.
• Protect pipes from freezing
• If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water. If the animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.

HOME FIRES AND SPACE HEATERS

• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
• Place space heaters on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.

WINTER DRIVING

• Stay off the roads, if possible.
• Fill the vehicle’s gas tank and clean the lights and windows to help with visibility.
• Share the details of your route, departure time, and estimated arrival time with someone.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on wet roadways.
• Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
• Avoid distractions such as your cell phone.
• Know that ramps, bridges and overpasses will freeze before roadways.
• Don’t use electrical components (like your headlights) unless the engine is running.

POWER OUTAGE SAFETY

• Use flashlights in the day — avoid using candles.
• Turn off and unplug any appliances, equipment and electronics. When the power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.
• Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out and roads could be congested.
• If a power outage is two hours or less, don’t be concerned about losing perishable foods. During a prolonged outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food. Use perishable food from the refrigerator first. Then, use food from the freezer. If the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items. Keep food in a dry, cool spot and cover it at all times.
• If you are using a generator, keep it dry and don’t use it in wet conditions.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area. Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

WATCH FOR SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA AND FROSTBITE

• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body.
• When outside, stay active to maintain body heat, take frequent breaks from the cold and avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.
• Drink liquids, such as warm broth or juice, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Get out of the cold immediately if signs of hypothermia or frostbite appear. These signs include shaking uncontrollably, getting extremely tired, turning very pale or getting numb fingers, toes, ears or nose.
• To treat someone who may have hypothermia or frostbite, gently warm them by
  wrapping them in a blanket and giving them warm drinks and high-energy foods. Call 911 if these signs are severe.