Cold Weather Safety Tips

Why prepare for cold weather? Winter in Massachusetts almost always includes periods of extreme cold weather. Exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and has the potential to become life-threatening. Although anyone can suffer from cold weather-related health issues, some people are at greater risk than others.

To reduce the risks of extreme cold conditions, take the proper safety precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

How to Prepare

Keeping Yourself Safe During Extreme Cold Weather

Layer up!
- Dress in several layers of loose, lightweight clothing (as opposed to a single heavy layer)
- Make sure your outer layers are windproof
- Don't forget to add layers like boots, hats, scarves, and mittens
- Cover as much exposed skin as possible, including your face
Avoid going outside as much as possible
- If you need to go outside, take frequent breaks to warm up indoors
Check on your loved ones and neighbors
Stay hydrated! Dehydration occurs more quickly in dry, cold weather

Keeping Your Home Safe During Extreme Cold Weather

Prevent frozen pipes by keeping your heat on at a normal level or leaving a slight drip on your faucets.
- If your pipes freeze, don't use an open flame to thaw them - instead use a warmer like a hairdryer or a rag soaked in warm water.
Install and maintain your carbon monoxide detectors.
- Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that prevents oxygen from getting to your brain and can be deadly.
- Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are: fatigue, confusion, headaches, dizziness, nausea.
- Possible sources of carbon monoxide include: running engines in enclosed spaces (like cars, trucks, or snow blowers), oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, fire places and stoves, and some space heaters.
- If you believe that you or a loved one might have carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

Warming Centers

Possible Symptoms of Cold-Related Illness

Extreme cold can cause cold-related illness, including frostbite and hypothermia. If you or someone you know are experiencing these symptoms, please seek medical attention.

Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and body tissue.
- Symptoms: Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.
- Treatment: Get into a warm location. Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area. Seek medical attention immediately.
Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature and is life-threatening.
- Symptoms: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, and slurred speech.
- Treatment: If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, seek medical attention immediately. Get to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or putting on dry clothing. Give them warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the person is conscious.