The new year is expected to come in with an arctic blast later this week with Friday’s high temperature predicted to reach only 4 degrees.
According to reports from the AccuWeather Global Weather Center, in addition to the cold snap, two storms also are expected to merge and produce a major snowstorm from the upper part of the mid-Atlantic to southern New England on Thursday into Friday.
Several professionals from the area have provided a few tips for homeowners and residents with children, pets and elderly relatives on how to prepare and safeguard against the extreme weather.
Those commenting on the expected bitter cold temperatures included Lt. Bob Bartholomew of the Olean Fire Department. Bartholomew said one of the easiest things homeowners can do is to let their hot water and cold water faucets drip throughout the cold snap.
“You just need a slight drip to keep the water moving,” Bartholomew said. “And if you can insulate them, that’s great.” He said insulation material, which may be applied to outside pipes, can be purchased at any hardware store.
Bartholomew said one thing he and other firefighters advise strongly against is the use of space heaters to keep water pipes from freezing, or to thaw frozen ones.
“That’s what causes fires, and space heaters are bad news to begin with,” he said. “If somebody has frozen pipes, or they have a contractor (who wants to use a space heater), you have to keep a really close eye on it,” he added. “As long as you’re monitoring it, you’re OK.”
He said the use of hair dryers to thaw pipes also is acceptable as long as the individual monitors the item.
“Like I said, if it’s going to be an issue at my own house, I let the farthest-reaching faucet in the house drip just to keep the water moving,” he added. “I can’t think of an easier way to do it.”
He noted that pipes that break on the outside of the house may require a call to the Water Department to shut off the supply to the house until it can be repaired.
Capt. Eric Taylor of the Bradford City Fire Department provided similar advice, but also cautioned homeowners from using blow torches for thawing frozen pipes. This method has been known to cause fires at homes both locally and across the country.
Taylor said that while residents are not required to keep fire hydrants clear of snow, it can be helpful, and critical to firemen if they are called to a home to fight a fire.
“If it’s your house, you might need a hydrant,” he said.
Both fire officials said citizens should use common sense with children and pets during the extreme cold.
“It’s good to keep animals inside. I’ve got a couple of animals myself and I wouldn’t think of leaving them outside on a cold night like that,” Bartholomew said. “If they’re in a little house with hay that might be OK, but just to leave them outside with no protection is horrible.”
He said children should stay inside when it is dangerously cold. If they have to go out, they should be covered from head to toe, along with layers of clothes.
“You can’t have too many layers on,” he said.
At the Bradford Ecumenical Home, Vicki Harris of the marketing and administration department said people with elderly parents should stay in touch with the senior when the weather turns critically cold.
“If parents are alone, you should have the neighbors check in on them (if the child is unable to) and make sure they have enough to eat,”
Ms. Harris said. “The main point is to make sure they have everything they need, like milk, so they don’t try to venture out.”
If an elderly relative must go outside, they should be bundled up in hats, scarves, gloves and boots because they are more vulnerable to temperature changes, she advised.
