Tips for staying safe in the cold

Some people rely on space heaters for warmth during cold weather.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
As temperatures dip into the teens after this week's snowstorm, American Red Cross officials are urging Mahoning Valley residents to bundle up and closely monitor their heating sources.
Ginger Grilli of the Red Cross North Columbiana Chapter said when temperatures dip well below freezing, as they are predicted to do over the weekend, people sometimes find unusual ways to stay warm.
"People will rely more on space heaters or even turn on their ovens," Grilli said.
Sometimes using these heating methods can result in fires, Grilli said. The Red Cross offers these recommendations to prevent disasters:
Keep fires in the fireplace by using glass or metal fire screens. Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house, and provide constant adult supervision in rooms with fires.
Always follow the directions for using appliances that generate heat, keep them clear of flammable materials, and never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
When using space heaters, place them on a level, hard and nonflammable surface such as ceramic tile floor -- not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
Danger outdoors
Grilli also urged caution for those attempting to work or play in the snow.
"It's too cold for people to be out in these conditions for very long," she said. "Parents will go out to shovel snow and children will go out to play, but too often they don't know where the threshold is for frostbite or hypothermia."
Both hypothermia and frostbite are serious conditions and anyone displaying signs of them should seek medical attention immediately, Red Cross safety tips say. The symptoms for hypothermia are confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. The symptoms for frostbite are skin discoloration and numbness.
The Red Cross offers these tips to stay safe in cold weather:
Dress appropriately for the weather.
Most of body heat is lost through the head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers the ears.
Mittens provide more warmth to the hands than gloves.
Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping feet warm and dry. Boots also will help maintain footing in ice and snow.
Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket and warm fluids.
agarrett@vindy.com