How to Stay Safe and Warm Indoors During Extremely Cold Winter Weather
As quaint as those memories may be, the extreme cold temperatures that come along with such beautiful and charming scenes of winter weather can be very dangerous. How well one prepares for and deals with extreme cold temperatures can mean the difference between life and death.
There are many aspects to planning and responding to winter weather’s extreme cold. Having a plan and an emergency supply kit are very important. You should also think about what to do if you are stranded outdoors in extremely cold winter weather, such as if your car breaks down during a snow storm. However, the focus of this article is to provide you with detailed information on how to prepare for and stay safe inside your home during extremely cold winter weather.
You may need to use an alternate source of heat to heat your home in case of power failure. Or, you may want to employ an extra heating device such as a fireplace or space heater to help warm things up in times of extreme cold. Take extra care when using a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the labels and instructions to make sure that your chosen heating source is okay to use indoors.
You should never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors!
Here are 10 additional safety tips to remember as well.
1. Use fireplace, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside. Be sure that they do not leak any noxious gases into the indoor air space.
2. Do not use paper as a fuel source in your fireplace.
3. Read the label or instructions for your heater to determine what type of fuel it uses, and use only that type of fuel. Don’t substitute a different type of fuel for your heater other than what it is designed to use.
4. Keep at least a 3 foot distance beaten your space heater and anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding. Never cover your space heater.
5. Do not place a space heater on top of furniture. Do not place a space heater near water.
6. Do not leave children unattended near a space heater.
7. Arrange all electrical cords to ensure that they do not present a tripping hazard. Take caution not to run cords under carpets or rugs.
8. Do not use an electrical cord that shows any sign of damage with your space heater. Also, avoid using an extension cords with it.
9. Store (a) multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher(s) in the area of your home where you are utilizing your alternate heating source(s).
10. Installing a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning.
In addition to heating your home, you will have several other important things to consider if you should lose power during a time of extremely cold winter weather.
As the day comes to an end, you will want to have light sources in your home for safety and convenience. Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns rather than candles, which can pose a fire hazard.
Leave your water taps slightly open. The continuous dripping will help to prevent the pipes from freezing during extremely cold winter weather. This will help to provide you with a continuous water supply. However, if there is a power outage, your area may be under a “boil water” notice, which means that you would need to boil any water that you obtain from your water taps before drinking it. Be sure to stay tuned to your local news stations so that you will be aware of important information such as this.
Eat and drink wisely to conserve heat and energy during times of extremely cold winter weather, especially if you’ve lost power. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages because they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Better options include warm, sweet beverages or broth, which help maintain your body temperature.
Whether or not you lose power during a time of extremely cold winter weather, these drops in temperature can be dangerous. If you live in a climate known to experience extremely cold temperatures during the year, plan ahead to avoid any potential indoor hazards. This will help you avoid problems, and instead you’ll be able to safely enjoy that nice cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp#indoor. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
