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Allegany County offers cold weather tips

January 30th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The National Weather Service is predicting extremely cold and windy weather
conditions as Arctic air is expected to affect the region on Wednesday and Thursday
(1/30-1/31). We may experience sub-zero wind chill temperatures during this time.
As a reminder, severe cold can be dangerous if not properly dressed, and high winds
can cause extended power outages. Please review these individual preparedness
measures for extreme cold weather conditions:
• Check your emergency supplies now. Make sure you have enough drinking water,
no-cook food (bread, crackers, peanut butter, dried fruits, canned foods that can
be eaten cold, etc). Try to have at least three days’ worth of water (one gallon per
person per day, for three days), and don’t forget water for your pets. Check your
first aid kit, battery supply, and make sure you have enough prescription medicine
on hand in case you can’t get to the store or pharmacy.
• If you must venture outside, wear a hat, gloves or mittens, scarf, warm coat, warm
footwear; dress in layers beneath your coat to trap body heat. Do not stay outside
any longer than absolutely necessary. Hypothermia and frostbite can happen in a
matter of minutes.
• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full to help prevent ice from forming in the fuel line.
• Potomac Edison advises to avoid frozen pipes, open faucets and maintain a
constant drip or wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspaper.
• Keep cell phones, iPads, laptops and other electronic devices charged; these may
be your emergency communications methods during extended power outages.
• Monitor weather reports so you know the latest forecast for extreme weather
conditions.
• Never use a portable generator inside the house – including the garage or carport.
• Keep flashlights and extra batteries on hand to use during power outages. If you
use candles for emergency lighting, never leave burning candles unattended.
• Bring your pets inside or provide an appropriate cold weather shelter.
Per Potomac Edison, if an outage occurs as a result of severe weather,
customers should call 1-888-LIGHTS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage.
Customers should report downed wires to their utility or their local police or
fire department. Never go near a downed power line.

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