Stay Safe & Warm Tonight: Temperatures Are Expected to Drop Down to 7°

Stay Safe & Warm Tonight: Temperatures Are Expected to Drop Down to 7°

We care about our Melrose residents and want you all to stay safe and prepared for the extremely cold weather that has arrived in our area. Temperatures may drop down to 7°F tonight, according to Wunderground.com. There are a number of steps you can take to stay warm and safe.


Extreme Cold Safety Steps

Use Space Heaters Safely to Prevent Fires

  • 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.

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.

Check on Your Elderly Neighbors and Take Care of Your Pets

  • Keep your pets inside as much as possible
  • 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.

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