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January 15, 2009

Temperatures a real negative

Measures urged to ward off effects of subzero readings

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH — With arctic-like temperatures and blustery winds sweeping the region, officials are reminding residents to beware of cold-related dangers.

With frigid temperatures expected to worsen today, staying warm will be a major concern through the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Burlington predicts the dangerous cold spell will continue until early next week.

Meteorologists said high temperatures will hover around zero today and Friday, with nightly temperatures dropping well below zero and wind chills bringing what feels like minus-30-degree weather.

Emergency officials said residents should limit their time outdoors and dress appropriately until the cold snap moves through and lessens the risk for hypothermia and frostbite.

Wearing loose lightweight layers, gloves, scarves and hats are a few simple ways residents can ward off the dangerous chill.

Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in hypothermia, which brings slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion and bouts of uncontrollable shivering.

And, Rick Provost, deputy director of Franklin County Emergency Services, notes the danger isn't just outside.

"You can even become hypothermic inside of a house after a day or two of keeping the heat turned down (to save money)."

fire DANGER
Area police and firefighters have already spent a considerable amount of time battling the cold this week as they manage sporadic weather-related accidents, stranded-motorist complaints and heating-related fires.

"It was cold out, that's for sure," said Beekmantown Fire Chief Steve Trombley, whose department spent a brief time in the cold Wednesday morning as they inspected a chimney.

Provost said heating dangers "are compounded when the weather is as severe as they're predicting for the next few days.

"And our greatest fear is fire. It's tough work on a nice day to fight fire, but when you have to deal with colder temperatures ... it makes it a very difficult process."

He said that if proper safety precautions are not followed, wood stoves, fireplaces and kerosene heaters can easily become problematic, increasing the risk for fires and carbon-monoxide poisoning.

"With the colder weather, people have more fires and may end up burning more green wood, instead of dry wood, which creates more creosote," said Jeff Jacques, a New York State Firemen's Association spokesperson and local chapter president.

"And if you haven't had your chimney checked this year, it could be buildup from last year causing a problem. People should check their chimneys a couple times a year to make sure there's not a buildup."

HEATING RISKS
Each year, about 1,000 people across the country are killed by carbon monoxide from vehicle exhausts, home-heating systems and blocked chimneys that trap the odorless, colorless gas inside.

Poorly ventilated generators, kerosene heaters and gas grills can also lead to high levels of the gas when they're improperly used.

"You should be very cautious about anything you're using for heat," said Jacques, who advised residents to check smoke-detector batteries and install a carbon-monoxide detector if fuel is being used.

If residents suspect high carbon-monoxide levels in their home, they should ventilate the area, contact emergency responders and get to the nearest hospital, especially if someone becomes sleepy, dizzy and develops a headache.

Emergency officials are strongly urging residents not to run generators inside and to always keep them running downwind from any structure.

Kerosene heaters should always be kept away from pets and children and refilled outside once they cool.

"Anything people can do to save money and heat their homes they're going to do, and that's when the problems start," said Jacques, a Lake Placid firefighter and past chief.

The biting cold could also cause pipes to freeze and leave homeowners in need of costly repairs.

Faucets left slightly running can help prevent the freeze, as does shutting off water systems when no one's home, though indoor-sprinkler systems should be left on at all times.

CONSERVE
New York State Electric and Gas officials said residents can take measures to conserve energy despite the chilly temperatures.

"The increase in energy use that comes with exceptionally cold weather will lead to higher bills," Terri Van Brooker, NYSEG customer-service director, said in a news release.

To help curb higher utility bills, residents should open blinds and curtains during the day to let in the sunny warmth and shut them at night to keep out the cold.

Closing vents and doors in unused rooms and lowering the heat when no one is home can also help, as does setting hot-water heaters to lower, but still comfortable, temperature settings.

STOCK UP
As the cold temperatures linger through the week, officials urge residents to stock up on emergency supplies, such as flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food and first-aid kits.

People are also urged to make sure their vehicles are properly winterized.

Emergency-management officials are asking residents, during the next few days, to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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