Experts say the standard precautions apply, involving frostbite, hypothermia, and dressing appropriately for what could become dangerous outdoors conditions:
Clothing. Dress in layers. Cover exposed skin, and wear a hat and gloves, according to the National Weather Service. Cover one's mouth with a scarf or mask to warm the air that's breathed.
Stay dry. Moisture, even sweat, increases heat loss. This can prove vital in extreme cold, experts say.
Stay hydrated. Increased hydration also means increase blood flow, and less chance of frostbite.
Frostbite. Indications of frostbite include white, gray, numb, and/or waxy skin. A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else notices it, due to the numbness of the tissue.Bring a person with the condition indoors, and gently warm the affected area with body heat or warm water. Do not use a heating pad, stove, or other source of extreme heat - since numb areas will burn easily.
Hypothermia. Indications of lowered body temperature include slurred speech, drowsiness, low energy, or shaking hands. Get a person to a warm indoor location as quickly as possible, and get the core of the body warmed as quickly as possible. Temperatures below 95 degrees require immediate medical attention.
Pets. Bring your dogs and cats indoors, and make sure they are in a warm place with plenty of hydration.
Exercise. Cover your head, stay hydrated, and stay dry. Also be sure to realize that health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and significantly curtail the ability to exercise in extreme cold. Avoid overexertion - the cold weather puts additional strain on the heart.
Space heaters. Be extremely careful, and follow all directions when using alternative forms of heat. That includes wood stoves. Both smaller-source forms of heat can be a serious fire hazard, as fire experts have warned repeatedly in times of cold weather.
Fire and smoke alarms should be checked, and operational. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, experts said.
Heating. Seal openings allowing cold air into the home. Move furniture away from heating registers and radiators. Make sure thermostats are set above room temperature, make sure the fuses are working and the circuit breaker is on. Close dampers in unused fireplaces, and replace dirty or clogged air filters.
Plumbing. Insulate and cover exposed pipes, especially outdoor spigots, said plumbing experts. Thermostats should be set at 65 or warmer to prevent freezing and bursting pipes. Keeping a faucet on a constant drip keeps the water moving and prevents freezing, if necessary.
Cars. Make sure car is serviced with appropriate levels of antifreeze, and good-condition tires. Also keep the gas tank filled to avoid icing. Pack car with emergency items, such as jumper cables, blankets, bags of sand or kitty litter, food items and flashlights, among other checklist items.
Above all else, KEEP WARM!
Adapted from the Star Ledger