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A strong cold front arrives overnight Friday into Saturday, bringing temperatures down into the single digits with below-zero wind chills east of Lake Ontario this weekend.
“The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Oswego County today through 7 a.m. on Sunday,” said Cathleen Palmitesso, director of the Oswego County Emergency Management Office. “According to the forecast, we will wake up to extreme cold Saturday morning and it will last into Sunday afternoon. People should take extra precautions to protect themselves this weekend.”
NWS offers these tips on dressing during cold weather:
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellant and hooded.
- Wear a hat, as most body heat can be lost from the head, and mittens (snug at the wrist), which are better at retaining heat than gloves.
- Cover the mouth to protect lungs from extreme cold.
Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor advised that severe cold could lead to frostbite and hypothermia for people who are outside for extended periods.
“Frostbite is a type of burn that usually starts with numbness,” she said. “Fingers, toes, ears and the nose are most susceptible. It can happen so quickly that people may be unaware of it and stay outside, increasing the chance of permanent damage. Pay attention to symptoms which include a loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance.”
Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature (below 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness.
People should seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms appear. With either condition, the extremity or the body’s core should be re-warmed slowly and alcohol and caffeine should be avoided to prevent shock or other issues.
“Don’t forget to check on the elderly in your families or neighborhoods and keep your pets inside, if you can,” she added. “Like people, pets are also susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. If they must be outside: try to limit their time, consider a sweater, coat or booties to protect their paws, and provide extra food and water as they need more calories to stay warm.”
Other precautions include:
- Snow Removal: warm up first, lift with the legs and don’t twist when throwing snow. Stop if you feel chest pain, dizziness or shortness of breath and seek medical help.
- Power Outages: dress in layers, close off unused rooms, use safe heating sources and keep generators outside to reduce the chance of fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Heating: follow manufacturer’s suggestions for installation and maintenance of heating unit. Get furnaces and chimneys inspected, cleaned and repaired if needed. Turn off space heaters when sleeping or leaving the room.
- Frozen or Burst Pipes: Call ‘911’ if significant flooding threatens electrical systems or other utilities. Otherwise, contact plumber or water provider.
- Fire Safety: Keep flammable items three feet from heating equipment, store kerosene in metal containers, in well-ventilated storage areas outside. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them monthly and replace the batteries every year.
- Car Safety: assess your winter safety kit, check fluids, tire pressure and make sure the car is in good running condition to avoid getting stranded.
- Winter Driving: Don’t crowd or pass snowplows, clear off snow and ice from the windshield and roof, and keep your focus on the road, especially at intersections.
With this weekend’s forecast in mind, Palmitesso reminds residents that Oswego County maintains a list of public facilities that operate as warming centers for people during extreme cold weather.
“Warming centers are especially important for vulnerable populations such as older adults and children,” she said. “Just call the location first to make sure it is open before you head out.”
Click here for the County’s warming center location finder map.
More information on extreme cold safety tips is available from www.Ready.gov.
