WVU Today
The past several days have generated some negative reactions – as in, below-zero temperatures in the wake of an arctic blast overtaking much of the country.
With parts of the United States dealing with record-breaking cold, West Virginia University experts are urging people to take extra precautions
Frigid weather leads to some specific situations that can pose threats to health and property. By following these tips, folks can help keep themselves and their families safe.
Alternate heat sources safety
Augmenting your home’s central heating can help keep you warm and toasty when nestled in your living room and bedrooms, but the use of space heaters and other devices can pose risks if not properly monitored.
“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,” cautioned Mark Lambert, WVU Extension Fire Service director and assistant professor. “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.”
Lambert said it’s also important to use common sense when operating space heaters, including following all manufacturer instructions. Using a kerosene or other carbon fuel-based heater indoors is “never a good idea,” he said, as they create carbon monoxide exhaust.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless – and can be deadly. It is also highly flammable.
“Having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to save your family and yourself,” Lambert said. “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.”
Anytime you use space heaters and similar devices, there is an increased risk of fire. Never operate these devices close to objects or materials that are flammable, and always, always have a plan for if a fire does break out, Lamber said.
“Always have an escape plan,” he said. “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.”
Generator and battery backup safety
Extreme cold can lead to increased demand on power grids, and ice can build up on power lines – both of which pose potential for outages.
Mark Fullen, professor and director, WVU Safety and Health Extension, said there are several options on the market to help maintain electricity during an outage.
“Four common options include a professionally installed standby generator, home battery backup system, portable gasoline-powered generator and portable battery backup,” he said. “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.”
According to Fullen, 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,” Fullen warned. “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.”
As with space heaters, use of fuel generators increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. And because the gas is odorless and tasteless, and therefore undetectable without a monitor, many people have died when spaces have not been properly ventilated for generator use.
“Never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces, such as garages, crawl spaces and basements,” Fullen said. “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.”
Because of the risk, portable battery backup products can offer a safer alternative in some instances.
“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.”
Of course, those products are useless if they, too, are out of juice. Fullen said it’s important to always make sure backup power devices are fully charged and refueled.
Snow shoveling safety
WVU Extension’s Assistant Professor and Safety and Health Amanda Mason said snow removal itself can lead to injury and health risks and should therefore be undertaken carefully.
“Snow shoveling is a vigorous activity that involves a high level of physical exertion that can often lead to physical injuries or heart attacks,” she said. “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.”
Mason said it’s 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,” she said.
Food safety
If the power goes out, it takes your refrigerator and freezer with it.
If that happens, resist the urge to open the door every five seconds looking for a snack.
“With any type of power outage in any season, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible,” said Hannah Fincham, associate professor and Randolph County Family and Community Development agent, WVU Extension. “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.”
And while the cold temps outside may have you thinking the front porch is your best solution, Fincham said that may not be the case.
“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. 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, Fincham said, 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, texture or feels warm to the touch.”
Fincham suggests investing in thermometers to monitor your refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
“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.”
