WVU Extension officials offer cold weather safety tips as temperatures plummet

WVU Extension experts are available to discuss ways to deal with the kinds of extreme cold gripping parts of the U.S. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

With parts of the United States dealing with record-breaking cold, West Virginia Universityexperts are urging people to take extra precautions to keep themselves and their families safe.

WVU Extensionexperts Mark Lambert, WVU Extension Fire Servicedirector and assistant professor; Mark Fullen, professor and director, WVU Safety and Health Extension; Amanda Mason, WVU Extension Safety and Health specialist; and Hannah Fincham, WVU Extension Family and Community Development agent in Randolph County, are available to discuss prevention through proper planning and simple safety measures.

Quotes:

• Alternate heat sources safety
"With colder temperatures making their way across the nation, people will be using space heaters and other heating sources to try to keep warm. It's important to understand the safety hazards these sources of heat can present. Be sure to turn off radiant or electric space heaters before going to bed, especially older models that are prone to tipping over and have no safety shutoff abilities. I also would encourage you not to leave them on when leaving your home. Never leave a radiant space heater unattended.

"This type of weather has many people who will bring radiant space heaters and fuel-fired space heaters out of storage for these conditions. People need to use common sense with these devices and follow all instructions and warnings that came with them. Using a kerosene or other carbon fuel-based heater in the closed-up environment of a house is never a good idea. The devices burn fuel and create carbon monoxide as exhaust.

"Having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to save your family and yourself. Ensure smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home, including near sleeping areas. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year.

"Always have an escape plan. We encourage you to do this with your family when you move into your home and review the plan regularly. Always include two ways out of your home or apartment. Designate a meeting place outside the home and make sure everyone knows how to call 911 in case of an emergency. Once you leave the home, never go back in, not even to get your pet or your valuables." - Mark Lambert, assistant professor and Fire Service Extension director, WVU Extension

• Generator and battery backup safety
"To continue electrical power during an outage, there are many choices. Four common options include a professionally installed standby generator, home battery backup system, portable gasoline-powered generator and portable battery backup. Regardless of the generator or battery backup option you choose, it is essential that you take precautions for your safety and for the safety of the utility workers restoring the power.

"Portable gasoline or diesel generators are useful when temporary or remote power is needed. Electric appliances, such as lights, refrigerators, freezers, modems and wireless routers can be directly plugged into portable generators. Generators, as well as home battery backup systems that are directly connected to your home electric service, need to be installed by a licensed electrician. There have been injuries and fatalities when homeowners attempt to temporarily connect their generators to their home electric service. This can create a risk for those in the home, the installer as well as the lineman working to restore service.

"While directly connected generators use natural gas, propane or other fuels that can be refilled continuously or manually, battery backup systems are typically kept charged by your electric service prior to the outage and will provide a set number of days of backup power depending on the battery size and how well the homeowner conserves energy. Home battery backup systems can be installed with solar panels to provide charging prior to and during an outage.

"One of the biggest dangers of fuel generators is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas. Many people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning because their generator was not adequately ventilated. Never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces, such as garages, crawl spaces and basements. Do not use a generator outdoors if it is placed near doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to enter and build up in occupied spaces.

"A major advantage of portable battery backup products is that they have no exhaust and generate no carbon monoxide. Battery-based backup systems can be used and placed indoors with no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"No matter what system you choose be sure to plan ahead by having your backup power product fully charged or fueled, read all installation and user manuals, do not overload circuits, and, most importantly, never run a generator indoors in an enclosed space or near doors and windows." - Mark Fullen, professor and director, WVU Safety and Health Extension

• Snow shoveling safety
"Snow shoveling is a vigorous activity that involves a high level of physical exertion that can often lead to physical injuries or heart attacks. The cold temperatures experienced while shoveling snow causes constriction of the blood vessels and can also cause the blood to be thicker and more prone to clotting.

"The level of physical activity and environmental conditions experienced during snow shoveling causes the heart to pump faster and harder. Based on this information, it's not a surprise there is a strong link between snow shoveling and fatal heart attacks.

"It's also important to know the signs of a heart attack, including excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and nausea. Signs of a heart attack can often be mistaken for fatigue because of the shoveling, so pay close attention to your physical symptoms." - Amanda Mason, assistant professor and Safety and Health specialist, WVU Extension

• Food safety
"With any type of power outage in any season, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. When the refrigerator doors remain closed, it will keep food cold for up to four hours. This time will be much less if the doors are opened at all. A full, unopened freezer will keep food safe for about 48 hours. An unopened half-full freezer will keep food safe for up to 24 hours.

"Don't use the outdoors as a substitute freezer or refrigerator. Even in the winter, outdoor temperatures are not consistent. There is a risk that the food can enter the 'danger zone' which is 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. It also can be exposed to animals and unsanitary conditions. However, your refrigerator can be used as an 'ice box' if you use ice to keep it cool instead of electricity.

"Once the power returns, check the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer, and then check each food item individually. If any perishable food - meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or leftovers - has been in an unopened refrigerator for more than four hours or has been above 40 degrees for more than two hours, get rid of it. Evaluate the food that you have left and discard anything that is possibly unsafe. Never taste food to determine its safety. When in doubt, throw it out.

"If there is food in your freezer that is partially or completely thawed, it can be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees or below. Throw out any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture or feels warm to the touch.

"This is an excellent time to invest in thermometers for your refrigerator and freezers and an infrared thermometer for food. Having thermometers in your appliances will let you know the temperature inside. The infrared thermometer will help you gauge the temperature of the actual food." - Hannah Fincham, associate professor and Randolph County Family and Community Development agent, WVU Extension

Find more expert advice from WVU Extension on home safety topics.

West Virginia University experts can provide commentary, insights and opinions on various news topics. Search for an expert by name, title, area of expertise or college/school/department in the Experts Database at WVUToday.

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