TU’s Office of Emergency Preparedness advises everyone to take caution as the region experiences a period of extreme cold.
- Avoid spending time outside in the extreme cold. If you must go outside, wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly-woven, water repellent and hooded.
- Wear a hat and gloves. Forty percent of your body heat can be lost from your head.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
- Watch for signs of frostbite, which include loss of feeling or pale appearance of fingers toes or the face, or signs of hypothermia, which include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, drowsiness and exhaustion.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who are at risk and may need assistance. Watch pets closely and keep them indoors if possible. Animals can suffer from the same cold weather injuries as people.
- Minimize travel. If necessary, keep a full tank of gas and an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle that includes warm clothing and winter gear. Check tire pressure, antifreeze levels and other systems operation.
For more information on weathering the extreme cold, see the CDC’s Extreme Cold Guide.
