CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Parts of the U.S. are waking up to some more bitterly cold temperatures Monday morning.
MORE | See our 4 Warn forecast here.
It is still a day for hats, scarves, layers of clothing and mittens or gloves. It is important to leave as little exposed skin as possible to prevent frostbite which, in these temperatures, can set in quickly. According to the Center for Disease Control, pain or redness in a specific part of your body like your nose, fingers or ears is the first sign of frostbite.
Those who do have to work outside on this Presidents Day should also remember to dress appropriately to avoid frostbite. Drinking hot beverages can help stay warm but avoid caffeine, like alcohol can lower your body temperature.
Cold temperatures also affect our cars and how they well they run. Car care experts say when temperatures are below zero, a car’s battery can lose at least 50% of its strength. An older battery is more likely to be affected by cold temperatures and could die completely. Experts say a typical car battery life is about five years.
If you notice your car is starting up slower than usual or your interior lights are dim or flickering it could be time to have your battery checked.
Inside the home, pipes freezing is a common risk in the extreme cold. To help avoid that, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency suggests that you keep your faucet on a slow drip and open cabinet doors to expose the area under the sink to the heating of your home.
