NoVA Arctic Blast: Freezing Pipes, Warming Car, Cold Weather Tips

WASHINGTON, DC — A blast of Arctic air will bring subzero wind chills to the District of Columbia and northern Virginia this week on the heels of some snow, forecasters say. The Arctic front will roll into the area Wednesday, when a high temperature of 34 gives way to an overnight low of 8 degrees and a "feels like" temperature that night of minus 3, the National Weather Service says.

Parts of the District of Columbia, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria are under a winter weather advisory Tuesday evening. Snow, ending by midnight, should total 1 additional inch, the weather service says. Plan on slippery road conditions, and poor visibility. Temperatures will fall below freezing during the evening rush, causing wet or slushy surfaces to freeze.

There are things you can do now to prevent your home's water pipes from freezing in unheated basements, crawl spaces, and poorly insulated walls. But if you do wake up to a frozen faucet, there are steps you can take to safely thaw out a frozen water line without burning down the house. During a cold spell don't turn your thermostat down, seal air leaks and keep water dripping in faucets. (See more tips for preventing and thawing frozen pipes below.)

There's a perennial debate over whether you should you start your car to warm it up before your commute or school run. The main reason is comfort if you have to park outdoors; and one of the main worries of leaving a vehicle running is that if you leave it unlocked while it warms up, thieves could help themselves to your ride. Most Americans think a car should idle for at least five minutes before its driven, but experts say that only applies to older cars built with carburetors. (See more on warming up cars below.)

Experts also have tips on how you can safely survive the bitter cold if your vehicle becomes stuck and you have to wait for help.

• If snow or ice are on the roads, travel is not advised--for your safety and to assist trucks clearing snow. Give crews time to treat roads.

If you must travel:

• Allow plenty of time for trips, and keep at least 5 seconds of distance behind the vehicle ahead of you.
• Brake lightly to keep your tires from slipping on pavement.
• Give plows plenty of room and do not pass.
• Ensure enough gas, wiper fluid, proper tires, medication, and an emergency car kit.
• Visit http://www.511virginia.org/ for the latest road conditions along your route, download the free app for Apple and Android, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia. Delay travel if road conditions become hazardous.

The Maryland Department of Health warns that extreme cold temperatures pose a danger through Friday, Feb. 1. Extreme cold weather can lead to serious health issues. Exposure to cold can lead to low body temperature, hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Shoveling snow or exercising in the cold can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Health officials say you should take these steps to cope with extreme cold conditions if you must go outside:

• Wear a base layer
• Wear an insulating layer
• Wear a windproof and water-resistant outer layer
• Wear tights or long underwear
• Wear mittens or gloves
• Wear socks and shoes
• Protect your eyes, lips, skin, neck, and face

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SEE ALSO:

• How To Keep Pipes From Freezing In NoVa Big Chill
  
• NoVA, DC Winter Weather: Should You Warm Up Your Car?

Residents should be aware of the risks cold weather poses inside homes and buildings:

• Keep fireplaces and wood-burning stoves clean
• Provide plenty of room around all heaters
• Never leave space heaters on while unattended
• Ensure smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are operating properly
• Check on older adults and neighbors and relatives with disabilities
• Store several days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water
• Ensure you have several days’ worth of medications available

Residents are also encouraged to prevent cold-related illness for pets:

• Bring your pets inside
• If you cannot bring your pet inside, make sure they have fresh, unfrozen water to drink and a shelter with adequate warmth
• Do not leave your animal in a car in cold weather

Residents in need of warming centers are encouraged to reach out to their local health department or call 2-1-1 and provide their county location and zip code to get information about warming center locations, hours of operation and available accommodations.

Prepare for Cold Weather
The way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia is to plan for extreme cold before it arrives. Don't get caught unprepared.

• Protect Your Pets, Livestock and other Property: If you have pets or farm animals, make sure they have plenty of food and water, and are not overly exposed to extreme cold. Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze. Know the temperature thresholds of your plants and crops.
• Fill up the tank: Make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half a tank of gas during extreme cold situations so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.
• Update Your Winter Car Survival Kit: Make sure your car survival kit has the following:
  • Jumper cables: flares or reflective triangle are great extras
  • Flashlights: Replace the batteries before the winter season starts and pack some extras
  • First Aid Kit: Also check your purse of bag for essential medications
  • Baby, special needs gear: If you have a baby or family member with special needs, pack diapers and any special formula or food
  • Food: Stock non-perishable food such as canned food and a can opener, dry cereal and protein rich foods like nuts and energy bars
  • Water: Have at least 1 gallon of water per person a day for at least 3 days
  • Basic toolkit: Pliers, wrench, screwdriver
  • Pet supplies: Food and water
  • Radio: Battery or hand cranked
  • Cat litter or sand: For better tire traction
  • Shovel: To dig out snow
  • Ice scraper: Even is you usually park in a garage, have one in the car.
  • Clothes: Make sure you dress for the weather in warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes for the cold
  • Warmers: Pack extra for body, hand, feet
  • Blankets or sleeping bags: If you get stranded in traffic on a lonely road, you'll be glad to have it.
  • Charged Cell Phone: Keep a spare charger in your car as well

How To Avoid Frostbite, Hypothermia

Children, older adults, and people with poor circulatory systems are at particular risk for hypothermia or frostbite. The Department of Health offers these tips to help residents cope with winter conditions when outside:
• Layer your clothing to have more flexibility and control over how warm you stay. Avoid cotton clothing for winter activities.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Most hypothermia cases occur due to an unexpected change in the weather or temperature.
• Wear a warm hat; up to 50 percent of body heat is lost through the head.
• Avoid getting wet when the temperature dips.
• Wear waterproof boots or shoes to keep your feet dry.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.

Winter Driving Tips

In winter driving conditions, the decision to steer or brake can have very different outcomes, say the experts at AAA Mid-Atlantic. Properly managing your speed and following distance will give you time to avoid a crash. At speeds over 25 mph, steering is preferred over braking to avoid a collision, as it takes less distance to steer around an object, than to brake to a stop.

“However, sometimes steering is not your option. Braking on slippery surfaces requires you to look further head and to increase following and stopping distances,” said Kurt Gray for AAA Mid-Atlantic, in a news release. “Plan stopping distances as early as possible. Always look 20-30 seconds ahead of your vehicle to ensure you have time to assess and respond to changing traffic situations, and safely reduce your speed. Shaded spots, bridges, overpasses and intersections are areas where ice is likely to form first, and will be the most slippery. Sudden hard braking can lead to the loss of vehicle control.”

If you plan on not using your car for an extensive period of time during snow season, it is important to turn it on every 6-12 hours and let it run idle for 15-20 minutes so that it reaches operating temperatures. This provides current to the battery, allowing it to regain its charge.

Winter Driving, Survival Tips

Here are some winter driving suggestions from State Farm Insurance:

• Clear frost, snow and ice from the windows and exterior of your car.
• Never warm up your vehicle in a closed garage. This could lead to carbon monoxide problems.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent gas line freeze-up.
• Make sure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with mud or snow.
• Don't use cruise control on icy roads.
• Allow more time for braking when visibility is poor.
• Stay calm if you start to skid and be prepared for black ice.

If you are stranded remember this:

• Stay inside. If possible, pull off the highway and turn your hazard lights on or tie something bright to your car’s antenna to signal that you need help. Then wait inside your car until help arrives to avoid exposure to frostbite and prevent hypothermia.
• Call 911. If you have a charged phone and reception, call for help and describe your location as best you can.
• Clear the tailpipe. Make sure there’s no snow covering your tailpipe in order to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside the car. Check the tailpipe periodically to ensure that fresh snow isn’t blocking it, always watching for oncoming traffic before exiting your vehicle.
• Keep moving. Staying active inside your car will help you keep warm. Clap your hands and tap your toes to keep your circulation moving and prevent frostbite but avoid overexertion and sweating.
• Drink fluids. Dehydration can make you more susceptible to the effects of cold. If there’s no drinking water inside your car, melt some snow inside a bag or other makeshift cup to stay hydrated.
• Conserve your vehicle's battery. Use lights, heat, and radio sparingly.
• Run your engine. Provided you have enough gas in your tank, run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to keep the car warm. Turn on interior lights when your engine is on so you can be seen inside your car. Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Don’t overexert yourself. Cold weather puts your heart under added stress. If you’re not used to exercise, shoveling snow or pushing a car could put you at risk of a heart attack.

Before You Go:

• Clean all snow and ice from the entire vehicle – hood, roof, trunk, lights and windows.
• Keep a bottle of lock de-icer in your purse or jacket to avoid costly delays during winter travel.
• Fill up. Even drivers going a short distance could get stuck in traffic or have a breakdown. Having enough gas will allow you to stay warm while waiting for help to arrive.
• Check to be sure all four tires are in good condition.
• Worn tires can send a car into dangerous skids and spins on wet and icy winter roads. Checking tire pressure and tread depth monthly can help motorists keep tires in optimal condition.
• Inspect wiper blades for wear and tear, and make sure they are in good condition to clear the windshield of heavier precipitation associated with winter months.
• Keep the windshield washer reservoir filled with antifreeze solvent. Replenish washer reservoir with the appropriate ratio of water to windshield antifreeze.

Photo by Patch Editor Kara Seymour