Cold As Ice!

Good morning, Charlotte!

I know I have posted this guide from the CDC before, but with the arctic blast that will be descending upon us here in Charlotte over the next week, I thought it was only appropriate to take a moment to remember just how dangerous cold weather can be.

While we are lucky enough to have dry weather over these next few icy-cold days, the low temperatures themselves are incredibly dangerous. On Wednesday night, NOAA says Charlotte will feel temperatures as low as 14 degrees, and on Thursday we are not forecasted to break freezing, with a high of only 29. Note, this does not factor in wind chill, so if a breeze picks up, it will feel even colder.

Sara and Diva are bundled up and ready for winter! Are you?

Throughout the winter, but especially through these next few days, please be sure to do the following:

• Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car in case you become stranded and may be exposed to the elements while waiting on emergency response personnel. Here is a guide for general winter car safety, as well as suggestions for what to keep in your automobile emergency kit!
• While I would love to think that everyone has battery-powered flashlights and doesn't need to use candles, I am also a realist, so I will say please only use candles when absolutely needed and under constant supervision. 
• I know this is North Carolina, and not all of us are used to the more bitter cold temperatures a little further north, but do take the Yankee advice and dress in layers to keep yourself best insulated from the cold. I'll be wearing a couple tee shirts probably under a sweatshirt and sweater under my jacket once it drops below freezing, and as goofy as I probably look, it keeps me warm!
• Further, if you're like me and are keeping your holiday tree up (and healthily watered!) until the absolute last minute, be sure you have the lights on only when someone is in the room! It takes only a minute for a tree fire to overtake a moderately-sized living room.
• Since it is the beginning of the month and we will probably all be utilizing more than our fair share of heating sources, this is a great time to go ahead and check our smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Please be sure you are testing these every month. I like to check mine on the first since it's easy to remember, but what day you choose is up to you!
• Stay dry! Be sure, especially if you are braving the cold, that your body is dry and dressed warmly. One can experience hypothermia at temperatures over 40 degrees if wet, so I can only imagine how quickly my body temperature would drop if I was out in the 14 degree weather immediately after showering. Stay dry and keep warm!
• If possible, keep your pipes on a slow constant drip so that water doesn't freeze in the line. Also, if you are leaving your home and trying to save energy and energy costs, be sure you don't leave your heat set below 55 degrees. Can't have our pipes bursting!

Much of the points I have highlighted above are outlined in a wonderful guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Click here to download the CDC Extreme Cold Guide.

And, because I've gone into withdrawal from my wacky cheesy blog post songs, here's a pretty tasty video of Foreigner performing Cold As Ice. Enjoy, and stay safe, Charlotte!