Cold weather making its way

If the temperature cannot be maintained at home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.

Santa Rosa County Emergency Management asks residents to take special precautions when caring for children, the elderly and when heating homes by following certain tips.

Infants lose body heat more easily than adults and cannot make enough body heat by shivering. Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room.

Provide warm clothing and a blanket for infants and try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. In an emergency, infants can be kept warm by using body heat.

For elderly care, older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity.

If you are more than 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather. Check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated.

If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and remember some safety tips.

Store a multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher near the area to be heated. Do not burn paper in a fireplace.

Ensure adequate ventilation by opening an interior door or slightly opening a window if you must use a kerosene heater. Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use—don't substitute. If your heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, don't use it.

Use fireplaces, wood stoves, and other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and does not leak flue gas into the indoor air space. Make sure chimneys and flues are cleaned periodically. Do not place space heaters near things that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding.

Don’t forget how important it is to dress appropriately! In northwest Florida, we don’t get many chances to utilize our cold weather-wear. Adults and children alike should wear a hat, scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth. Sleeves that are snug at the wrist.

Mittens, they are warmer than gloves, water-resistant coat and shoes and several layers of loose-fitting clothing.

Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton. Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly.

Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.

Fore more cold weather tips from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/faq.asp.

Citizens are urged to remember the five P's of cold weather:

Protect People

Protect Pets

Protect Plants

Protect Pipes

Practice safety