With extreme cold weather and snow moving in, there are few options for Miller County residents in need of a place to stay warm.
Miller County Emergency Management Director Mike Rayhart confirmed that the only two official Red Cross warming stations are the Eldon and Iberia public libraries.
Weather permitting, the Eldon and Iberia libraries will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Iberia library is open from 1 to 5 p.m. that day.
City Administrator Mandy Asbury said arrangements will be made to open the community center if calls are received at dispatch (573) 392-9111.
There are currently no plans to open the school district’s FEMA storm shelter building.
According to the National Weather Service, the extreme cold is moving in, with overnight low temperatures 1 degree Friday night, 5 degrees Saturday night and -4 degrees Sunday night.
This will result in wind chill readings well below zero. At these temperatures, exposed skin is subject to frostbite in 30 minutes or less.
Rayhart added that if it is an emergency, call 911 and authorities will work to find a solution. He also noted that the Eldon Area Ministerial Alliance works through the police department to provide assistance to those in need.
Being prepared
According to the extreme cold guide, people are encouraged to plan ahead with several days’ supply of the following items in their home:
Food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, water stored in clean containers or purchased bottled water and medicines.
Extreme cold can also cause water pipes to freeze and sometimes rupture. When very cold temperatures are expected:
• Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
• Keep the indoor temperature warm.
• Improve the circulation of heated air near pipes. For example, open kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink.
If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Instead, thaw them slowly by directing the warm air from an electric hair dryer onto the pipes.
If you cannot thaw your pipes, or the pipes are ruptured, use bottled water or get water from a neighbor’s house.
Indoor safety
People are encouraged to heat their homes safely.
“As temperatures drop, families often look for alternative ways to generate heat throughout their homes,” said Eldon Fire Chief Randy Vernon. “While space heaters and fireplaces are good sources of warmth, they can be very dangerous.”
Vernon noted that space heaters account for one-third of home heating fires and 80 percent of home heating fire deaths each year.
If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater, be extremely careful and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use fireplace, wood stoves or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
• Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in a fireplace.
• Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater.
• Use only the type of fuel your heater is designated to use.
• Do not place a space heater within three feet of anyone or anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture or bedding, and never cover your space heater.
• Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
• Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
• Always turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Make sure the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard, but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs.
• Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater.
• Do not use a space heater if it has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks.
• Store a multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher near the area to be heated.
• Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never use generators, grills, camp stoves or similar devices indoors.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.
How to dress for cold
• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded.
• Wear a hat, because much of your body heat can be lost from your head.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
Frostbite
Wind chill, or the “feel like” temperature is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effect of the wind and cold.
The higher the winds, the faster the body cools, causing the skin temperature to drop.
To minimize frostbite, make sure all body parts are well covered.
The most susceptible parts of the body are the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose.
Symptoms include a loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance. Medical attention is needed immediately for frostbite, and the area should be SLOWLY re-warmed.
Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature (below 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Medical attention is needed immediately. If it is not available, begin warming the body SLOWLY.
Hypothermia
If you can, it’s advisable to stay indoors during periods of extreme cold. If that is not possible, be reminded of the risk of hypothermia and take the necessary precautions.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, resulting in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.
Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods – the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because 1) Infants lose body heat more easily than adults; and 2) unlike adults, infants can’t make enough body heat by shivering.
Provide warm clothing for infants and try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere.
Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65, check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather. Also, check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.
Warning signs
Warnings signs of hypothermia for adults are: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
Warning signs for infants are: Bright red, cold skin and very low energy.
What to do
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency – get medical attention immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:
• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
• Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head,
and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
