With unusually bitter cold temperatures in the Southeast, Katina Madison, a Property Manager with Olympia Management, Inc., has a few tips to help keep you safe & warm!

all bundled up

  1. LAYER UP! Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves, scarf and a hat will help prevent losing your body heat. Blankets and afghans are great for cuddling up to stay warm. Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
  2. BRING PETS INDOORS. They may have a fur coat, but it is still too cold for them. Their feet and noses can get frostbite very quickly.
  3. STAY AWAY FROM SPACE HEATERS! But if you just have to have one, remember the 3 feet rule. Place space heaters on a level, hard surface & keep anything flammable AT LEAST a minimum of 3 feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains, rugs, etc. If you purchase a space heater, make sure it has safety guards and an automatic shutoff if tipped or knocked over.girl hugging a space heater
  4. ALWAYS SUPERVISE THE USE OF SPACE HEATERS! It is so easy for a curious child to get severe burns from a space heater. Do not use a power strip or extension cord with space heaters. They are easy to get tripped over. Turn the heaters off when not in use. It is best not to run heaters when you are sleeping.
  5. PROTECT THE PIPES! Drip water, even at a trickle, on all faucets, including bathtubs, to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Open the kitchen & bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
  6. REGULATE THERMOSTAT. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to avoid pipes freezing & bursting. If you get cold or hot, add or remove a layer of clothing instead of adjusting the thermostat. This will also help keep your heating bill lower.
  7. THE KITCHEN IS FOR COOKING. Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. Kitchen ovens were designed for cooking, not heating your home.
  8. NEVER OPERATE A GENERATOR INSIDE. Power companies are generally good about getting power restored to our area quickly. Most generators run on gasoline or kerosene. When operated indoors, generators emit a harmful gas that could lead to death.
  9. PREPARE VEHICLE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT. Cold weather can have hard effects on our vehicles. You never know when you winter safety kitmight be stranded, even if for a short period of time. Here is a short list of items you should always have in your vehicle:
    • Blanket
    • “hot hands”
    • kitty litter (for traction on ice and snow)
    • jumper cables or jumper box (make sure it is charged and learn how to just start your vehicle correctly)
    • flares or triangle reflector
    • a quart of motor oil
    • a gallon of coolant (antifreeze)
    • first-aid kit
    • flashlight and batteries
    • toolkit with screwdrivers, pliers, sockets, and socket wrench
    • tire pressure gauge (you can find small ones to keep on your keychain too)
    • paper towels
    • ice scraper or brush
    • pen and paper
    • Option are things like granola or energy bars and bottled water (caution in freezing weather with water bottles).
    • Extra coats, boots, gloves are always a good idea to have on hand.

Enjoying hot chocolateREMEMBER! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. The best time to prepare for winter weather is long before it hits.

For more information on how to stay safe during the cold weather, visit winter storm safety.