Full Notification

Avoid frozen water pipes;

In very cold weather, it is important to take precautions to keep your water lines from freezing. When temperatures stay below 15°F for more than a day or so, your pipes could freeze and burst if they are not protected. If your water meter is in a closet or otherwise enclosed, open the door to expose it to heated air. Also run a trickle of water from the nearest faucet to keep the line from freezing. You could also look into installing heat tape, but please consult a professional to ensure that it is safely installed.

How to stay safe (from DTE);

Know how to spot the signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning - headaches, nausea, dizziness and breathlessness all indicate potential exposure. If these symptoms occur, leave the area immediately and get fresh air. Seek medical assistance and call 911. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector.

Remove any snow or ice from your outdoor gas meter with a hand or brush and make sure to clear a path to your meter. Avoid using sharp objects like shovels to prevent damage to your meter.

Do not use a natural gas range or oven to heat your home.

Do not run a generator inside your home, garage or other enclosed building or use an unvented natural gas or kerosene space heater indoors.

How to stay healthy (from www.Michigan.gov);

When temperatures drop below normal, heat can leave your body more rapidly causing hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95°F. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 °F. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If you see someone showing these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.

Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20° Fahrenheit will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately! If you have to wait for help, slowly rewarm affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.

What should you do during the extreme weather event?

Call Public Safety if your furnace is not functioning properly. They will assist you in finding shelter. If there is an electrical outage that causes homes to lose power, the Recreation Center will remain open overnight. The City is not aware of any power outages at this time, so the Recreation Center will close at its normal time of 9 p.m.

Dress warmly and work slowly when shoveling snow or doing other hard work in the cold. Cold weather makes your body work harder to stay warm and puts extra strain on the heart. Follow the advice of your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.

Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers.

Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Check on your animals and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snowdrifts, ice, or other obstacles.