Temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s in the days ahead, and wind chill could pull feels-like temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees. The Charleston City Paper has collected a short list of tips and advice from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help you stay safe and warmer until temperatures come back up (as early as next week, thanks to Charleston’s fickle weather).
General tips:
- Stay up-to-date on local weather forecasts.
- Stay indoors; minimize travel as much as possible.
- If you must travel, keep a winter survival kit in your car, just in case.
- Shut off water valves or drip faucets to prevent potential pipe bursts.
- Bring any outside pets indoors until temperatures rise.
Dressing for the occasion:
- Dress for the outdoors, even if you don’t think you’ll be out much.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing — and a hat.
- Mittens are better than gloves for keeping warm; wear them if possible.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold, especially if it is windy.
- Stay dry and avoid windy areas if possible.
What to put in your winter survival kit:
- Water
- Food
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- First-aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Non-prescription medications
- Complete change of clothes
- Sleeping bag
- Whistle (to signal for help in emergencies)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you notice any of the warning signs, listed below, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95° F, get medical attention immediately.
Warning signs of hypothermia:
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Shivering
- Difficulty speaking
- Sleepiness
- Stiff muscles
Other tips for pet safety:
- Limit outdoor activities with your pets, as exercise in the cold weather can be a shock.
- Make some noise before starting your car to give sleeping cats a chance to move from their warm spots under the hood. Bang on the hood or honk the horn and wait for a moment before starting your engine.
- If you are concerned about an animal you see out in the cold, call your local animal control agency.
- Pay close attention to pets with health conditions like diabetes and older and very young animals, which may have difficulty regulating their body temperatures in extreme cold.
Find a warming shelter if needed
Three warming centers were opened this week as a result of the cold temperatures. The Holy City Missions at Aldersgate UMC Warming Center in North Charleston and the Hibben UMC Warming Center in Mount Pleasant were opened on Jan. 16 and 17; the Seacoast Summerville Warming Center opened Jan. 16. CARTA will provide transportation to and from all three centers, according to a press release.
The city of Charleston did not have any warming centers open for the weekend as of noon Jan. 17.
This story will be updated as additional warming shelters open.
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