It is going to get COLD!

As we mentioned in yesterday's Winter Storm Update, all of us here in Broad Channel are in for a shock next week as brutally cold arctic air invades the region after Sunday's rain event.

Although living next to the ocean oftentimes serves to mitigate extremely cold weather (sea surface temperatures are presently hovering around 40 degrees ) we will still experience record highs in the 20s and lows in the teens Tuesday and/or Wednesday.

While actual temperatures will be frigid, it's the wind that will really have all of us reeling next week as overnight and morning temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday will see wind chills near or below zero.

Tide heights for this period will be in the 4 to 5 foot range and should not pose a significant problem unless aggravated by the winds.

To add to the above, I am quite sure that the weekend rains will leave ponded water on our streets, especially along the sidewalk gutter areas, which will freeze and present a slipping hazard.

Some Basic Cold Weather Precautions

In addition to 911, keep our Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department's Hotline Number prominently posted near your phone:  718-474-8888

Make sure your car's coolant system has sufficient anti-freeze as well as a de-icer in the windshield washer fluid.

Ensure your house has sufficient heating oil and propane.

Check daily on elderly or disabled friends, relatives and neighbors who live alone.

The elderly and very young should stay indoors as much as possible. Offer to shop for elderly/disabled friends and relatives. Just like in the summer with heat, it takes some time to get acclimated to cold weather. 

Do not allow your pets to remain outside any longer than is necesary to compete their "business".

If you have an fish or reptile aquarium, make sure the habitat's heater is working.

While indoors, try to keep at least one room heated to 70 degrees. This is especially important for the elderly and small children to prevent hypothermia.

Keep the house warm. Set the thermostat for at least 65 degrees, as the temperature inside the walls, where pipes are located, is substantially colder. 

Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes (particularly in the kitchen and bathroom).

Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space.

Learn how to shut off the water to your home. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The more quickly you shut off the water, the better your chances at minimizing damage.

Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer. The more insulation the better. Detach garden hoses from spickets.

Wear layered clothing outdoors for better protection from the cold. Wear a cap to prevent rapid heat loss from an uncovered head. Cover exposed skin to prevent frostbite.

Eat high energy foods along with warm beverages and soup.

Sleep warm with extra blankets, a warm cap, socks and layered clothing.

Avoid fatigue and exhaustion during cold weather. Overexertion, such as shoveling snow or pushing a car, can strain your heart.

Be careful when using fireplaces, stoves or space heaters to stay warm. Carbon monoxide poisoning and home fires are very real winter hazards.

Be careful when using space heaters...never leave them unattended while operating.