Cold Weather Safety Tips To Keep Your Family Warm

What will this weekend's winter weather bring us? Well, we have learned over the many years of living in the Twin Tiers of Southern New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania, that a prediction is just that. No guarantees until it either happens or doesn't, or we just have less of what was predicted.

Regardless, we should all be prepared for any type of storm as best we can that Mother Nature throws our way at any time of the year, but especially so during the winter months.

With that in mind, the Broome County Office of Emergency Services notes that county officials urge residents to take precautions for expected cold temperatures, wind chills, and snowfall today through the weekend.

Our area could experience wind chills as low as -25 degrees through Saturday, and if predictions hold, snow on Sunday and Monday. Snow could become heavy at times.

Broome County will be offering warm locations for those who may need them. To find a warming station near you, click HERE. If anyone needs a ride to a warming station or emergency shelter, BC Transit is offering free rides through Monday.

The Broome County Office of Emergency Services has some important safety precaution tips for residents during extreme cold situations:

• Pack an emergency kit with essential supplies, for example: non-perishable food items, bottled water, blankets and warm clothing, a first aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, medications, and personal hygiene items.
• Prepare for a power outage: Have a flashlight for everyone in the household, make a power outage plan for medical devices and medicines that might need refrigeration, stock up on food and water, keep phones and electronics fully charged, and gas tanks full.
• Protect pets and livestock: Bring pets indoors during the storm. Provide adequate shelter and food for outdoor animals. Ensure livestock have access to shelter and water.
• Limit travel: Avoid unnecessary travel during a winter storm. If you must travel, inform someone of your plans and expected arrival time.

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According to the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, if you plan to go outside, be sure to bundle up with a hat, scarf or face covering, mittens, water-resistant outerwear, and several loose-fitting layers to trap body heat.

Also, during these extreme cold days, be aware that the cold can lead to frozen pipes. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes; the improper use of alternative heat sources could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham reminds residents to take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing, with tips from the American Red Cross: 

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Stay warm and stay safe this weekend, and throughout the rest of the winter season.

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