A winter storm watch is in effect for the weekend, with the National Weather Service predicting five- to eight inches of snow for Greater Morristown.
The storm is expected to start in the afternoon on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, and continue through Sunday evening. Ice accumulations of one-tenth of an inch also are possible.
“Travel could be very difficult on icy and snow-covered roads. Power outages may also be possible due to a combination of strong winds and ice accretions,” the forecast advises.
Morristown residents can shelter their cars inside Morristown Parking Authority garages from 3 pm Saturday through 8 am on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
Here are storm safety tips from the Morristown Department of Public Safety:
Prepare at Home: Stock up!
Food that doesn’t require heating or refrigeration
Water (1 gallon per person per day)
Flashlights and batteries
Battery powered or hand-crank radio
Battery powered clock
First Aid Kit Medications and Medical Items (if necessary)
Cellphones with chargers
Pet food, water, and additional supplies
Baby supplies (formula, bottles, diapers, etc.)
Alternate heating methods (wood, coal burning stoves, etc.)
Warm coats, gloves or mittens, boots, and extra blankets
On the Road:
Winterize your vehicle.
Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep t he fuel line from freezing.
Check tires for proper inflation
Check antifreeze
Pack emergency supplies in a backpack for a kit on-the-go:
o Ice scraper
o Jumper cables
o Tire chains
o Small shovel
o First Aid Kit Flashlight and batteries
Warning Flares or reflective triangle
The Morristown Department of Public Safety would like to remind residents of important Cold Weather tips (Hypothermia & Frostbite)
Recognizing Hypothermia
Highlights from the CDC http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.asp
• When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
• Low body temperature may make you unable to think clearly or move well.
• You may not know you have hypothermia.
• If your temperature is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.
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.
The result is 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.
Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
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.
Warnings signs of hypothermia:
Adults:
• shivering, exhaustion
• confusion, fumbling hands
• memory loss, slurred speech
• drowsiness
Infants:
• bright red, cold skin
• 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 w rapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.
Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
Recognizing Frostbite
Highlights from the CDC: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.asp
• Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing.
• Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
• Seek medical care if you think you have frostbite.
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused b y freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:
• a white or grayish-yellow skin area
• skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• numbness
A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.
What to Do
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also s hows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.
If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
• Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
• Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
• Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
• Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
• Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
• Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.
These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for cold-weather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.
