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Reminder: Extreme Weather Alert: National Weather Service Issued Wind Chill Watch, Dangerously Cold Temps Possible

Posted on: February 3, 2023 - 12:36pm
Reminder: Extreme Weather Alert: National Weather Service Issued Wind Chill Watch, Dangerously Cold Temps Possible
The City of Melrose cautions residents to prepare for the extreme cold this weekend as the National Weather Service issued a Wind Chill Watch from today, Februrary 3, at 4 a.m. until at least 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with dangerously cold temperatures and wind possible. Extreme cold is when temperatures drop distinctly below normal and may quickly lead to serious health emergencies.
 

There are several steps you can take to stay warm and safe such as limiting your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear warm layers and make sure your skin is covered by these layers to prevent skin damage from negative wind chills. More extreme cold safety steps can be found below.

Stay Warm Indoors

Stay indoors in a well-heated area. If you lose power or your home is not sufficiently heated, consider other locations that may be warm such as:

  • Melrose Public Library, located at 263 W Foster St, Melrose, will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and open on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., is located at  263 W Foster St, Melrose.
  • The Malden Warming Center, located at 529 Eastern Ave, Malden, will be open overnight on Friday and Saturday this weekend beginning from 5 p.m. tonight to Sunday morning.

Wherever you are, you can always call 2-1-1 to find warming centers or shelters near you.

Be Prepared for Extreme Cold Temperatures to Prevent Frost Bite & Hypothermia 

  • If you need to go outside, limit your time outside and wear warm layers and make sure your skin is covered by these layers to prevent skin damage from negative wind chills. 
  • Remember, fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose are the areas that are most at risk for frostbite.
  • If your clothes become wet, change your clothes as soon as possible.
  • If possible, set your heat to at least 68–70°. 


Know the Signs of Hypothermia

  • Extremely cold temperatures can cause hypothermia when the body's temperature dips below 95°.
  • Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and obvious exhaustion, according to the National Weather Service.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible. Find shelter from the cold and wind.

Know these symptoms and call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.

Check on Your Elderly Neighbors, Friends, and Family, and Take Care of Your Pets

  • Keep your pets inside as much as possible. Review these Winter Pet Safety Tips from Mass.Gov.
  • Check on your elderly neighbors to make sure they’re staying warm and eating and drinking water.
  • Call 911 if you suspect yourself or anyone else to be experiencing hypothermia.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

  • When the weather is very cold outside, let the water drip from faucets with pipes in outside walls. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing. The temperature of the running water is above freezing.
  • Open 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 thermostat set to the same temperature day and night. Don’t lower the temperature at night during the cold spell. It might raise the heating bill a little bit but can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home or business set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.
  • Shut off outside water.

To learn how to thaw frozen pipes, visit the State’s website.

What to do if You Lose Heat: Change Locations

If you lose heat after public buildings have closed, don’t stay home. Call a family member, friend, or neighbor’s home as a location to spend the night.  If you are using an emergency generator or secondary heating system, make sure they are well-ventilated.

Residents are also encouraged to create a home emergency plan, or family emergency plan and an emergency kit (Source: Mass.Gov).

Use Space Heaters Safely

  • When purchasing a space heater, select one that’s been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL).
  • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture, or other things that can burn.
  • Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets; do not use an extension cord of any kind.
  • Turn off your space heater when you leave the room or when you go to bed; never leave a space heater unattended or running while you sleep.

For safety tips about using a fireplace, wood stove, or pellet stove to heat your home, and other winter home heating tips, visit the State’s website.

More Home Heating Safety Tips

The Department of Fire Services offers a wealth of home heating safety information, including the “Keep Warm, Keep Safe” tool kit for local fire departments, caregivers, and service providers, at www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.

For more information, visit the National Weather Service webpage, www.weather.gov/safety/cold, which is dedicated to informing people on how to stay safe during extreme cold temperatures.