By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
As bitterly cold temperatures hit the region, the American Red Cross is urging people to keep themselves warm and stay safe.
Red Cross spokesperson Angie Springs says as you go out and about traveling, or returning to work, be sure to be bundled up as you embark into the cold, remembering to put on plenty of warm clothes.
"Dress in layers, try to cover your mouth, keep your gloves on, make sure your head is covered, and make sure your clothes are staying dry," Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Springs also says that you want to keep an eye on how your body is handling the cold temperatures.
" You want to watch for signs of hypothermia or frostbite," Springs says. "Which would be for hypothermia confusion or dizziness, when you look at frostbite, you would have numbness and graying of your skin."
Springs says the Red Cross also is urging everyone to stay prepared by assembling an emergency kit with non-perishable foods and water for your family.
Springs adds the Red Cross is also urging people to stay prepared in their travel by preparing an emergency kit, with ice scrapers as well as those non-perishable food and water, for their cars.
But Springs says you should also have an emergency kit for your home, and what goes in it is no different.
"Within your home though it doesn't matter what kind of disaster you're preparing for, make sure that you have non-perishable food items, that you have water for individuals, enough for the people that are in your family," Springs explains. "That you keep essential medication that you have, potentially items that are specific to those in your family."
Springs says those needs could include things such as diapers if you have an infant, adding that you should tailor your kit to how your family is built.
As the cold weather rages on, there is one thing inside your house that you may not think of taking care of.
Springs says to be sure to check your water pipes to avoid letting them freeze and risk bursting. Springs advises to be sure to close your garage door if your pipes are in the garage, and inside your home.
"Make sure that you're keeping those cabinet doors open in your kitchen, in your bathroom, that helps warm air circulate around those pipes," Springs says. "And make sure that you can maybe keep your faucets at a drip, keep that cold water drip going on your faucet, especially overnight."
Springs says if you find that your pipes are frozen, to thaw them out by applying heat on the frozen sections with things like a heating pad or a hair dryer, using indirect heat.
You can find tips on how to take care of your pipes HERE, as well as other winter safety HERE.