Saugus emergency management director offers tips to deal with cold

With single digits projected for the rest of the week, it’s time to bundle up, hunker down and take a few precautions.According to the National Weather Service, temperatures have already begun to dip and will bottom out with a forecast calling for a low of 7 degrees on Wednesday evening and 1 degree for Thursday evening. The daytime temperatures are expected to warm a little to a high of 25 degrees for Wednesday and dropping to 15 degrees on Friday.With that in mind, Saugus Emergency Management Director Paul Penachio has offered up some precautions from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.Everyone should minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and the very young – and don’t forget about your pets. They should not be left out unattended for any length of time.If you do go out, dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Your mother was right, you also need to wear a hat, as well as mittens and a scarf, along with warm waterproof boots. Use the scarf to protect your face and lungs and keep your mittens and boots on to protect your extremities.Any prolonged exposure to the biting cold can lead to frostbite. Warning signs are a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get help immediately.Hypothermia can also occur in extreme cases of cold and are marked by warning signs such as uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you suspect hypothermia, wrap the person in a blanket and get help fast.Staying inside requires a few precautions as well. You need to make sure you have sufficient heating fuel, extra blankets and particularly if you use a fireplace, wood stove or space heater, make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. It doesn’t hurt to have a fire extinguisher handy either.Also, be a good neighbor and check with elderly or disabled relatives, friends and neighbors to make sure they’re OK.If you’re concerned your pipes will freeze, let warm water trickle from the faucet that is furthest from the water meter. This will keep the water moving so it won’t freeze. Also, learn how to shut off your water in case your pipes burst.If your pipes do freeze, remove any insulation, open all faucets and aim a hand held hair dryer at the section most exposed to the cold. Do not use a blow torch.Keeping a well stocked Winter Home Emergency Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable food items on hand is also wise.If you’re going to be driving, keep the tank at least half full, carry a blanket or extra clothing in the car along with a flashlight, batteries, matches, some non-perishable food items, a shovel, sand or kitty litter to put under spinning wheels and jumper cables.And keep an eye on the weather report – spring is only 67 days away.