Frigid air is predicted for Central and Southern Illinois and the American Red Cross has steps people can take to stay safe during this hazardous weather.

“We are concerned about the forecast because many people are still dealing with the aftermath of the recent flooding and frigid temperatures will make conditions even more dangerous for those affected,” said Betsy Pratt, Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region. “We want to remind people not to use their stove or oven to heat their homes and be very careful if you are using space heaters.”

COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS Here are ten ways to stay safe during this latest round of cold temperatures:

1. Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.

2. Know the signs of hypothermia – confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.

3. Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.

4. Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.

5. Avoid frozen pipes – run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.

6. Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.

7. Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.

8. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

9. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.

Learn how to treat cold weather related emergencies by downloading the free Red Cross First Aid App at redcross.org/apps. More information about winter safety is available on redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.