COLUMBUS – Ohioans shivering through the coldest temperatures in years are being reminded to treat extreme cold as they would any other form of severe weather: Be prepared with emergency kits, stay abreast of weather conditions and check on elderly neighbors and family members.
A Wind Chill Warning is in effect until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday for Fairfield and Pickaway counties and until 1:00 p.m. Thursday for Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison and Licking counties, where dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero expected.
Check on school and business closings and delays
Older People Are Vulnerable
“Extremely cold temperatures can take a physical toll on all of us, but also threaten important parts of community and home infrastructure that we and our older loved ones rely upon to stay safe and comfortable,” Ursel McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, said.
Physical changes than accompany aging, as well as the effect of cold temperatures on prescription medications, can make older adults more vulnerable to harm caused by bitter cold and prolonged cold conditions, such as those expected this week, raise the risk of freezing home plumbing, community water main breaks, automobile failure, transportation interruptions, power outages and home heating system failures, to name a few hazards.
Older residents are being urged to prepare an emergency kit that includes a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra blankets, warm clothing, food and clean drinking water.
Older residents should have a plan for a safe, warm place to go, and a way to get there, if it becomes unsafe to stay home, McElroy said.
It’s a good idea to know where the main valves and switches are for gas, water and electricity should you need to shut them off.
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Staying Safe And Warm
Indoor space heaters can provide extra warmth, but should only be used with caution. They should be tested and certified to the latest safety standards.
“We strongly encourage people to never be using them when they’re not in the room; and then also, to keep them away from blinds, curtains, furniture, because they do get very, very hot. And that can be a fire hazard and can quickly turn dangerous,” said Matt Schilling, deputy director of public affairs for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Never use appliances that weren’t designed to heat your home, such as cooking stoves and ovens, for that purpose.
Rolled-up towels or blankets placed around drafty windows and doors can help keep cold air outside and warm air inside.
Call or visit older loved ones and neighbors to ensure they are safe and have the means to stay that way. The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the Department of Aging recommends calling nursing homes where friends or relatives are staying to check on conditions there and ask how the facility is staffed.
Warming Centers Open
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is extending the hours of five centers throughout Columbus for a second day on Thursday. The following centers will include hours of operation from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.:
Beatty Community Center, 247 N. Ohio Ave. | 614-645-3218
Far East Community Center, 1826 Lattimer Dr. | 614-614-645-3159 Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Rd. | 614-645-30612
Westgate Community Center, 455 S. Westgate Ave. | 614-645-3264
Whetstone Community Center, 3923 N. High St. | 614-645-3217
The Salvation Army in Central Ohio opened warming centers Tuesday:
Chapel at Worthington Woods Worship and Service Center, 760 Worthington Blvd.
Tuesday 9:30am-4pm
Wednesday 9:30am-8pm
Thursday 9:30am-8pm
Friday 9:30-4pm
East Main Worship and Service Center, 966 E. Main Street
Wednesday 10am-3pm
Hilltop Worship and Service Center, 2300 W. Mound Street
Wednesday 9am-4pm
Thursday 9am-4pm
Friday 9am-noon
Other shelters:
Mid-Ohio Foodbank Grove City, 3960 Brookham Drive/614-274-7770
Community Shelter Board, 569 Van Buren Drive/614-221-9195
Open Shelter, 61 E. Mound Street/614-222-2885/Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Community Kitchen, 640 S. Ohio Ave./614-252-6428/Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Miracle Cathedral, 2271 E 5th Ave./614-253-1655/Open 48 hours Jan 29-30
YWCA Family Shelter Columbus, 900 Harvey Court/614-253-7970
St. Sophia Orthodox Church, 1493 Indianola Ave/614-702-9096/Tues-Sat 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Keep Homes And Vehicles Protected
Bitter cold can cause damage to vehicles and homes and injuries due to accidents or fall, so homeowners and motorists are encouraged to make sure they have adequate coverage and take precautions.
Opening cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and turning faucets to a slow drip can help prevent pipes from freezing. If a pipe freezes and bursts, homeowner’s insurance will usually cover the resulting damage but repairs to the pipe may not be covered.
The bitter cold weather is expected to take its toll on vehicles as well. When temperatures dipped into the single digits early last week, the number of motorists calling AAA Ohio for roadside assistance more than tripled, said Brian Rex, director of the auto club’s emergency services network.
The most common calls were for frozen locks, cars sliding off of slick roads and dead batteries.
“If your battery is three or more years old, it is more susceptible to failure during the upcoming weather event. There’s no way to prevent your car battery from failing, but you can have it checked…before the cold hits to make sure it’s still in good condition. If it’s not, have it replaced immediately,” said Rex.
Rex also recommends motorists keep a can of lock deicer handy, somewhere outside of their vehicle, in case their locks freeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will also work in a pinch.
Driving may be hazardous, but leaving your car parked has its risks as well, says Ed Conley, director, of insurance sales and financial services for AAA.
In the event of an accident, liability coverage will only pay for damage or injury expenses to other people caused by the policyholder but it takes collision coverage to defray the cost of damage caused by a collision. Comprehensive coverage will protect a policyholder’s vehicle against theft or damage caused by something other than a collision, such as an icy limb falling on a vehicle.
Homeowner’s insurance will help cover the medical costs If someone slips and falls, or is injured by a falling icicle on a policyholder’s property but coverage can be increased for an additional premium, Conley said.