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19 ways to prepare for freezing weather

ATLANTA — Metro Atlanta is preparing for another blast of cold weather and below freezing temperatures.

Preparing for the cold doesn't come naturally in Atlanta, so here is some useful information to help you prepare, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gather Emergency Supplies In Your Home

The CDC recommends having an alternate way to heat your home in case the power goes out including a fireplace or kerosene heater. You can conserve heat by avoiding any unnecessary opening of doors and by closing off unneeded rooms.

Other items to have handy:

  • blankets
  • matches
  • flashlight or battery powered lantern
  • battery powered radio
  • non-electric can opener
  • rock salt

Prepare your home for winter

We're likely to see more cold weather, so you have time to prepare your home for the next arctic blast.

  • Have your chimney inspected and flue cleaned
  • Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
  • Insulate any water lines along exterior walls
  • Add weather stripping and insulate doors and windows
  • Provide adequate shelter for pets if they are outside

Prepare your car for winter

There's always a danger of ice when temperatures drop. The CDC recommends taking the following steps with your car.

  • Have the radiator serviced
  • Replace windshield washer fluid with a wintertime mixture
  • Replace any worn tires; check tire pressure
  • Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the fuel lines
  • Equip your car with blanks, booster cables, a bag of sand, a tire repair kit and a flashlight.

Stay safe outdoors

When temperatures drop into the single digits, especially if there are high winds, make your outdoor trips as brief as possible.

  • Wear a hat, scarf, sleeves that are snug at the wrist and mittens (they're warmer than gloves.)
  • Wool, silk and polypropylene will hold more heat as an inner layer of clothing.
  • Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can cause your body to lose heat more rapidly.
  • Infants lose body heat more easily than adults. They cannot make body heat by shivering.
  • Hypothermia can even happen at temperatures near 40 degrees if the person is chilled from rain or sweat.
  • Frostbite is caused by freezing of tissue. The risk is higher for people with reduced blood circulation. Immerse the affected area in warm, not hot, water.

You can track dropping temperatures in your neighborhood with the free Severe Weather Team 2 iPhone/Android app and the free Severe Weather Team 2 iPad app.