Tips to protect your home during dangerously cold temperatures in southwestern Illinois
Residents of the metro-east and St. Louis are gearing up for heavy snow and “dangerously cold” wind chills anticipated Thursday and Friday, and taking safety precautions can help limit the effect of extreme cold.
Southwestern Illinois and St. Louis are under a winter storm warning from 6 a.m. Thursday to midnight Friday, as well as a wind chill warning from 6 p.m. Thursday to noon Friday, the National Weather Service reports.
Here’s how to prepare for the severe weather, including what items to have at home and how to protect against frozen pipes.
What to have on-hand in a winter storm
The NWS recommends keeping these items at home or at your office to prepare for winter storms:
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery-powered weather radio to receive emergency information
Water
Food requiring no refrigeration or cooking, such as granola bars, dried fruit or nuts
Extra prescription medicine
Baby items such as diapers and formula, if applicable
First-aid supplies
Heating fuel
Emergency heat source such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater. It’s important these items are properly ventilated to avoid a fire.
Fire extinguisher, smoke alarm
Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets
Carbon monoxide detector
Make sure you have the phone number to your utility company, extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm coats, as well as a cell phone and portable charger if possible.
How to protect your home from extreme cold
It’s important to never use a generator, camp stove, grill or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices in your home, basement, garage or any partially enclosed area, the American Red Cross advises.
These devices should be kept outside away from any doors, windows or vents that could allow carbon monoxide to enter your home.
One issue that can result from extreme cold is frozen pipes. There are several steps you can take to protect your pipes from freezing, including insulation, sealing any leaks and keeping your thermostat set to the same temperature all day and night.
Letting water drip can also be helpful, State Farm says. A trickle of hot and cold water could help prevent your pipes freezing, and you should let warm water drip overnight when temperatures are low.
Opening cabinet doors allows heat to flow to any uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
If you will be away from home during cold weather, make sure the battery in your thermostat is functioning and set it to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Ask a neighbor or friend to check in to make sure your home is warm enough if you can.
State Farm also recommends people shut off and drain their water system, but be aware this may deactivate your fire protection sprinkler system if you have one.
This story was originally published December 21, 2022 at 2:07 PM.
