Below-normal snow totals and above-normal temperatures have so far offered a very different winter season in 2023. But the start of February will remind everyone in New England just how cold it can get.
Friday and Saturday are expected to be “dangerously cold” as a frigid air mass reaches New England, according to the National Weather Service. Though temperatures will be in the single digits or below zero, wind gusts as high as 46 mph could leave most of Massachusetts with temperatures feeling like the -30s.
- Read more: Cold snap incoming: expect ‘brutally cold’ temps Friday and Saturday, weather service says
Starting Monday, all of Massachusetts and Rhode Island has been under a hazardous weather outlook as arctic air moved into the region. With this in mind, residents can face several risks during that relatively brief, less than 48-hour period.
How to keep yourself safe in extreme cold
To start off, there’s the human element: how should you stay safe when temperatures get extremely cold? The National Weather Service suggests dressing in layers and covering any and all exposed skin to prevent frostbite. Keep yourself dry, avoid sweating and limit time outdoors.
Frostbite occurs after body tissue freezes when the outside temperature is at or below 28 degrees, according to Harvard Medical School. Complications can include long-term numbness in an affected area, such as fingers, toes or nose; a change in skin color; stiff joints; infection and hypothermia. Treat frostbite by placing fingers in your armpits or in someone’s hands. In cases of extreme frostbite, seek medical treatment immediately.
How to take care of your car in extreme cold
When it comes to taking care of your car, be sure there’s more than a half tank of gas, the weather service advised. If you drive, maintain tire pressure and notify your family or housemates. Bring some blankets and a packed safety kit in your car.
How to prepare your house for extreme cold
In case of emergencies, make sure generators or secondary heating systems are well-ventilated, as suggested by the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s emergency management website. In the event of a power outage, take additional precautions or go to an emergency shelter to stay warm. Check in with friends, neighbors and family, especially older people who live alone, have medical conditions or may need additional assistance.
Water will expand inside a frozen pipe, according to the American Red Cross. Pressure buildup within a weakened plastic or metal pipe can cause those pipes to break. Outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines, as well as water pipes in unheated rooms like attics and basements, plus uninsulated exterior pipes, are all at risk of freezing.
The Red Cross suggests draining swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines, but don’t use antifreeze as it is environmentally harmful. Open hose bibs and faucets to allow water to drip and drain. This way, water will expand but will not damage the pipe.
To prevent freezing, keep garage doors closed if water supply lines are inside, the Red Cross said. Allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing in kitchens and bathrooms by opening up cabinet doors.
By keeping a home’s thermostat at the same temperature both day and night, “you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst,” the Red Cross said.
For more details on how to fix and prevent your pipes from freezing, check out MassLive’s full breakdown from December here.
Be careful when using space heaters
Portable space heaters are the cause of 1,700 fires a year in the U.S. – half of which are in December, January and February – and 80 deaths annually, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
To stay safe, the commission recommends placing the heater on a hard, level and nonflammable surface with a 3-foot “kid- and pet-free zone around the heater.” This also applies to combustible materials such as furniture, bedding and curtains.
“Space heaters need space,” Brimfield Fire Chief Don Contois said after a fire claimed the life of an older adult in December, as reported by The Republican. “If you’re using one at home, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away on all sides and be sure to turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.”
When not in use, unplug the heater and periodically check the cord for any fraying or damage. Also, install working smoke alarms on every level of the home, including every bedroom, and test them monthly.
The safety commission also offers details on what safety features to spot with space heaters, including certification, shutoff features, a ground-fault circuit interrupter plug and a sturdy cord. For more information, head over to the website here.
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