In the event of cold weather
you will find detailed information here.
Health Risks:
> hypothermia and frostbite
Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious or life-threatening health problems.
The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.
HYPOTHERMIA
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.
Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
Warning signs of hypothermia in infants include bright red, cold skin and very low energy.
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, get medical attention immediately.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposes skin. Other signs of frostbite include a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness.
Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens (they are warmer then gloves), water-resistant coat and boots, several layers of loose-fitting clothing.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.
Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
Warning signs of hypothermia in infants include bright red, cold skin and very low energy.
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, get medical attention immediately.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposes skin. Other signs of frostbite include a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness.
Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens (they are warmer then gloves), water-resistant coat and boots, several layers of loose-fitting clothing.
Going Outdoors
> Dress in layers
Several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Invest in a good brand of thermal underwear and layer beneath a turtleneck, topped with a wool sweater, then a long coat or fleece-lined parka. Try runners’ tights to wear underneath your pants, which will keep you even warmer than thermal underwear.
> WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR
Our bodies prioritize keeping our organs warm, which means hands and feet are typically the first to feel the cold. Wear either wool-lined winter gloves or heavy mittens, and sturdy, waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. A hat is essential, preferably one that covers your ears. Cover your face and mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
Safety Tips:
> Keep Your Kids Safe
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Keep Your Kids Safe From FrostbiteHow many of you have been out on a cold day and seen kids that were not properly dressed for cold weather? How many of you have kids who insist they don’t feel the cold and they argue about wearing warm clothes or a winter coat? Across the U.S. we are having record breaking low temperatures. It is important that your kids understand the dangers of frostbite and how quickly exposed skin can be affected in severe cold weather. Check out these resources on kids and cold weather and what to do in the case of frostbite:
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> Be a good Neighbor
Check on disabled and elderly friends and neighbors often to make sure their homes are heated properly.
Power Outages:
> Save the food.
If you lose power for an extended period of time, don’t let food go to waste! Use the outdoors as a makeshift freezer for food. Be sure to cover items to protect from wildlife.
> keep pipes from freezing
To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of water to run from a faucet if your pipes have frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe should burst.
> Light your home safely
If there is a power failure; use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns rather than candles, if possible. Candles can lead to house fires.
If you do use candles, never leave lit candles unattended.
If you do use candles, never leave lit candles unattended.
> Safe Drinking Water
When power goes out, water purification systems may not be functioning fully. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your state, local, or tribal health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.
Heating your Home or Apartment:
> NEED HELP PAYING FOR HOME HEATING OIL?
The following programs may be able to offer you assistance.
DSS Energy Assistance - Winter Heating Assistance
Operation Fuel is a private, not-for-profit community based organization that provides emergency energy assistance to state residents who do not qualify for, or have exhausted, their government assistance.
Operation Fuel, Inc. One Regency Drive, Suite 200 Bloomfield, CT 06002 Tel: 860-243-2345 Fax: 860-726-9310 Toll Free: 800-354-7199 Web: http://www.operationfuel.org/ Citizen's Energy (Connecticut) help residents needing heating oil assistance. The non-profit organization is associated with Joe Kennedy, ("Joe for Oil"). The organization provides eligible families with a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil.
Citizens Energy Corporation 88 Black Falcon Avenue, Suite 342 Boston, Massachusetts 02210 Tel: (617) 338-6300 Fax: (617) 542-4487 Email: inform@citizensenergy.com Web: www.citizensenergy.com |
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) - help for low income with heating bills. Programs include fuel assistance and financial assistance if heat is included in rent. To be eligible for fuel assistance, the gross annual income of the household must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
CEAP Program Community Renewal Team Inc. 555 Windsor Street Hartford, CT 06120 Tel: (860) 560-5600 Email: info@crtct.org Web: www.crtct.org The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund, is a Connecticut State agency which assists wartime veterans and their families and may be able to offer fuel assistance. Programs are administered by the American Legion. For more information, you can call, Toll Free: 1-800-491-4941, (within the state of Connecticut).
Soldiers' Sailors'and Marines' Fund 864 Wethersfield Avenue Hartford, CT 06114 Tel: (860) 296-0719 Fax: (860) 296-0820 Email: john.monahan@po.state.ct.us Website: www.ct.gov/ssmf United Way of Connecticut is associated with fuel assistance and other programs, you can contact the United Way directly, of the Connecticut State Infoline by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone. For basic infoline info, visit their website at: www.infoline.org.
United Way of Connecticut 1344 Silas Deane Highway Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067 Tel: 860-571-7500 Fax: 860-571-7525 email: infoline@ctunitedway.org |
> RENTERS COMPLAINT – HEAT
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Heat Complaints – RentersWhat are the Requirements for Heat in Rentals?
Section 19a-109 of the Connecticut General Statutes establishes a minimum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit for a building occupied as a home or place of residence. This requirement applies throughout the year. The CTLawHELP.org website, created by Connecticut’s Legal Aid programs, offers an article titled “Utility Problems With Landlords“, which explains your rights and what you can do to get your landlord meet his/her obligation under the law. To Find Providers in Connecticut’s Community Resources Database:
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For renters with no heat in their apartment, visit https://uwc.211ct.org/heat-complaints-renters/ for more information
> SAFETY TIPS REGARDING CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as natural gas, oil, kerosene, wood or coal is burned. The symptoms of CO poisoning mimic those of the flu, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING OR IF CO DETECTOR GOES OFF:
Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Indoor Environmental Quality website resources
Connecticut Poison Control Center
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SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Public Health
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING OR IF CO DETECTOR GOES OFF:
- Leave your home immediately!
- Call 911 or the Connecticut Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) from a cell phone or a neighbor’s house after you have left the house.
- Call the local fire department to test for CO, or call your fuel supplier or licensed heating contractor for an emergency inspection.
Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Indoor Environmental Quality website resources
Connecticut Poison Control Center
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SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Public Health
> Be safe with heat sources
When using alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions to ensure they are ventilating properly. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure everyone in the household knows how to use it. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
> Conserve Heat
- Install a programmable Thermostat. Stay toasty on schedule, so you never go home to a living room that's colder than outside. You can even do it with your smartphone.
- Warm air rises to the ceiling. Run your ceiling fan on its lowest setting in a clockwise direction to push the warm air back down to where you can feel it.
- Replace thin curtains with heavier wool or fleece drapes in the winter. But be sure to open them on sunny days for free heat.
- Seal Windows and Doors: Gaps around windows and doors can make it tough to keep your house warm in winter. Caulk around windows and install weather stripping around doors as needed. This minor and inexpensive task can help you save on heating costs. If your windows and doors are older, they may be inefficient single-pane windows or uninsulated doors. Consider upgrading to double- or even triple-pane windows and insulated doors and garage doors to boost the energy efficiency of your home. Another option is to add storm windows and doors.
-Seal off unused rooms by stuffing rolled-up towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Consider installing inexpensive insulating window film, which you can purchase at any hardware store.
- It's cheaper to change your body temperature than the room temperature, not to mention more eco-friendly. Instead of turning up the heat, put on another layer of clothing.
- Warm air rises to the ceiling. Run your ceiling fan on its lowest setting in a clockwise direction to push the warm air back down to where you can feel it.
- Replace thin curtains with heavier wool or fleece drapes in the winter. But be sure to open them on sunny days for free heat.
- Seal Windows and Doors: Gaps around windows and doors can make it tough to keep your house warm in winter. Caulk around windows and install weather stripping around doors as needed. This minor and inexpensive task can help you save on heating costs. If your windows and doors are older, they may be inefficient single-pane windows or uninsulated doors. Consider upgrading to double- or even triple-pane windows and insulated doors and garage doors to boost the energy efficiency of your home. Another option is to add storm windows and doors.
-Seal off unused rooms by stuffing rolled-up towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Consider installing inexpensive insulating window film, which you can purchase at any hardware store.
- It's cheaper to change your body temperature than the room temperature, not to mention more eco-friendly. Instead of turning up the heat, put on another layer of clothing.
> TRICK A LOCKED THERMOSTAT
Stranded at the office with a locked thermostat? If that's the case, you may need to outsmart the device by making it "think" the room is colder than it actually is. Putting ice near it often does the trick.
> Seniors
If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during extremely cold weather. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity.
Keeping Pets Safe:
> ANIMAL SAFETY
Humans aren’t the only ones affected by harsh weather. When extremely cold temperatures hit, bring pets/companion animals inside, if possible. Do not leave pets outside during cold weather extremes. They need adequate shelter. In sub-zero temperatures, their paws, noses and ears can succumb to frostbite—bring them inside. If you can’t bring them in your home, house them in a garage or basement with plenty of warm bedding.
For more information go to: https://www.aspca.org/news/winter-here-protect-your-pets-season-these-tips
For more information go to: https://www.aspca.org/news/winter-here-protect-your-pets-season-these-tips
Emergency Services:
> Places to Keep Warm and Sheltered:
- Operation Overflow is open during the cold season. Individuals in need must call 211 to reserve a bed.
- Joseph House operates as a warming center for the winter season.
- The Gathering Place is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 21 Prospect Street, Torrington
> Police, Fire and Medical
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For life threatening emergencies call 911. Otherwise, Contract them directly at; |
Be safe ~ Be Prepared
Below are some life saving tips and instructions on emergency safety.
Be safe ~ Be Prepared
Below are some life saving tips and instructions on emergency safety.
- School Closings
- Know how to access Emergency Services.
- Put together a DISASTER SUPPLY KIT.
- Tune into the cities Emergency RADIO frequency.
- Snow Plowing Policy - City of Torrington, CT.
Disclaimer: The material provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as emergency, legal or medical advice.
