Dear fellow Hanoverians:<\/p>\n
With the forecast calling for lows in the single digits and below zero over
\nthe next few days, an ATOTW reader who is also a member of our own Board of
\nHealth sent along the following timely pieces of information. Please read
\non for the following "public service announcement" tips from BOH Chair John
\nDougherty in collaboration with the Massachusetts Emergency Management
\nAgency:<\/p>\n
. Continue to be aware of extreme weather conditions by monitoring media
\nreports.<\/p>\n
. Make sure you always have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply
\nKit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid
\nkit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a manual can opener.<\/p>\n
. Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young.
\nAlso, consider your pets. Do not leave your pet outdoors when temperatures
\ndrop below freezing. Dogs need outdoor exercise, but take care not to keep
\nthem outdoors for lengthy periods of time during very cold weather. Pets
\nthat are mostly indoors need time to adapt to cold temperatures by building
\nup a thicker coat and toughening their footpads for ice and snow.
\nShort-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.
\nDogs and cats are safer indoors during all sorts of extreme weather.<\/p>\n
. If outside, dress in several layers of loose fitting, lightweight
\nclothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments
\nshould be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy
\nwaterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a
\nscarf to protect your lungs. <\/p>\n
. Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating
\nequipment in case you lose electricity.<\/p>\n
. When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace,
\nwood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions. Keep a
\nfire extinguisher handy; ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly.
\nTest smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.<\/p>\n
. If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in
\nthe cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or
\nsheets.<\/p>\n
. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.<\/p>\n
. Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or relatives and friends who
\nmay need additional assistance to ensure their safety.<\/p>\n
. To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of
\nnewspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow
\na trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your
\nwater meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water
\nmoving so that it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe
\nbursts.<\/p>\n
. If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and
\npour hot water over the pipes or wrap them with towels soaked in hot water,
\nstarting where they are most exposed to the cold. A hand-held hair dryer,
\nused with caution, also works well.<\/p>\n
. Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least
\nhalf-full. Carry a Winter Emergency Car Kit in the trunk including
\nblankets, extra clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, a can and
\nwaterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods,
\nwindshields scraper, shovel, sand, towrope and jumper cables.<\/p>\n
Thanks, John. Good advice for all of us. Stay warm, dear readers!<\/p>\n
For "Around Town on the Web",<\/p>\n
Cathy H-B<\/p>\n
"Around Town on the Web" is a community service that has been provided to
\nself-selected residents of the Town of Hanover since the spring of 2004. If
\nsomeone forwarded this message to you and you would like to receive these
\ncommunications directly, please e-mail your first and last name and e-mail
\naddress to cathyhb@atotw.com . If you would
\nlike to be removed from this distribution list, please e-mail your request
\nto me at cathyhb@atotw.com . For submission
\nguidelines and answers to frequently asked questions about "ATOTW", please
\ngo to www.atotw.com . To search for archived "ATOTW" news, just go to
\nhttps:\/\/atotw.com\/archive .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dear fellow Hanoverians: With the forecast calling for lows in the single digits and below zero over the next few days, an ATOTW reader who is also a member of our own Board of Health sent along the following timely … Continue reading