Joni Kristenson, Cook County Public Health nurse, offers these reminders for coping with cold-weather emergencies: Heat Your Home Safely If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember these safety tips: . Use fireplace, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak fuel gas into the indoor air space . Do not burn paper in a fireplace . Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater . Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use — don’t substitute . Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything that may catch fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding, and never cover your space heater . Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water . Never leave children unattended near a space heater . Make sure that the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs . Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.
Cook Safely
Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors (the fumes are deadly) . Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage, or near the air intake of your house because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning . Plug in appliances to the generator using individual heavy-duty outdoorrated cords * Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet because of the risk of electrocution . Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could ignite.
Light Your Home Safely
If there is a power failure: Use batterypowered flashlights or lanterns rather than candles, if possible.
Conserve Heat
You may need fresh air coming in for your heater or for emergency cooking arrangements. However, if you don’t need extra ventilation, keep as much heat as possible inside your home. Avoid unnecessary opening of doors or windows. Close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors, and close draperies or cover windows with blankets at night.
Monitor Body Temperature
Infants less than 1 year old should never sleep in a cold room because infants lose body heat more easily than adults, and unlike adults, infants can’t make enough body heat by shivering. Provide warm clothing for infants and try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere. In an emergency, you can keep an infant warm using your own body heat. If you must sleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on the baby. Pillows and other soft bedding can also present a risk of smothering; remove them from the area near the baby. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather. Also, check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.
Eat and Drink Wisely
Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages; they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor.
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