The National Weather Service warning of the dangers of frostbite for exposed skin in these temperatures. Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes when wind chills are this cold, and outdoor pets and livestock are at risk in these conditions. Those who are more vulnerable to the cold are newborns and elderly, outdoor workers, unhoused and those with chronic illness. It is recommended to dress in loose layers and cover all exposed skin, limit or avoid time outdoors, consume hot food and warm drinks but avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you are exposed to frostbite or hypothermia, you should remove wet clothing, get to a warm area, warm up with dry layers of blankets or clothing and place affected skin in warm water, not hot.
PIPES
This weather can also lead to frozen or bursting pipes. To keep your pipes from freezing, experts say to let cold or warm water trickle from your faucet, open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to uninsulated pipes under a sink or near a wall. Make sure the heat in the home is on and set no lower than 55 degrees and if you plan to be away, make sure someone checks on your home to make sure the heat is still on and drain and shutoff the water system.
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