How to Protect Yourself From the Extreme Cold

As New Jersey is in the midst of a stretch of bitter cold temperatures, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your home from the frigid temperatures. 

The Red Cross is a great resource for tips on how best to bet the cold. Here are some quick and helpful hints on how to stay warm.

- Never use your stove or oven to heat the house

-  If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.

-  If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

- Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.

- Use generators correctly – never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.

For those that have to be outdoors:

- Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.

- Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.

- Watch for symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.

- Don’t forget your pets – bring them indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.

For more helpful hints, visit the Red Cross website or download the Red Cross app for your smart phone.