With cold temperatures expected, it’s a good reminder to take a few simple steps to stay safe, warm, and prepared both outdoors and at home.

Understanding Cold Weather Health Risks

Prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures can increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing body tissue and most often affects fingers, toes, ears, and the tip of the nose. Signs may include numbness and skin that appears white or pale. Frostbite requires immediate medical attention, and affected areas should be slowly rewarmed if possible.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Warning signs may include uncontrollable shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, and extreme fatigue. Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If medical care is not immediately available, begin warming the body slowly.

Dressing for Cold Weather

Wearing the right clothing can make a big difference in cold weather. Choose loose fitting, lightweight layers that trap warm air between them. Outer layers should be tightly woven, water resistant, and hooded to help block wind and moisture.

Wearing a hat is especially important since a large amount of body heat can be lost through the head. Covering your mouth helps protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens that fit snugly at the wrist are often warmer than gloves. Try to stay dry and out of the wind whenever possible.

Protecting Your Home

Cold weather can impact homes and plumbing, especially during periods of extreme cold. During this stretch of temperatures at or below zero, any water meters or pipes that are not insulated or otherwise protected have the potential to freeze. Frozen meters and pipes can stop water flow and may leak or burst if left unaddressed, but there are several simple steps you can take to help prevent problems:

• Keep warm air circulating around your meter and water pipes by opening cabinet and closet doors near plumbing, especially along exterior walls.
• Seal any drafts around windows and doors to keep cold air out.
• Use old blankets to insulate glass blocks around water meters, if needed.
• Keep garage doors closed if plumbing is in the garage.
• Leave faucets running at a low rate if you are concerned about a specific pipe. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
• Sign up for the WaterSmart Customer Portal to receive alerts about unusual water use or bursts. Make sure your alert settings match your household needs.

If a faucet doesn’t work, check whether the issue is at the meter or just one pipe. A frozen meter affects all water in the home, while a frozen pipe usually impacts one or two faucets.

For a frozen meter, contact the Public Works Department at 847-272-4711 (7 a.m.–3 p.m.) or the Police non-emergency line after hours at 847-564-2060. For a frozen pipe that is leaking, turn off your home’s water supply and contact a licensed plumber. Pipes that are not damaged can often be thawed by turning on the faucet and carefully applying heat with towels or a hair dryer.

Keep indoor temperatures consistent, even overnight, and set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees if you plan to be away from home. Disconnect outdoor hoses and take steps to seal drafts to protect pipes and sprinkler systems.

Traveling During Cold Weather

If you’re on the road, it’s important to be prepared for winter driving conditions. Keeping a well-stocked emergency supply kit in your car can help you stay safe, warm, and connected until help arrives. A basic car emergency kit should include:

• Cell phone and charger
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables and tow rope
• Tire chains or snow tires, flares and a bag of sand or cat litter
• Flashlight
• Full tank of gas
• Water and nonperishable snacks
• Blankets, boots, mittens, and warm clothes
• Shovel, ice scraped, and snow brush

For more detailed guidance, visit Ready.gov’s Car Emergency Kit Tips.

Warming Centers

For anyone who needs a warm place to go during extremely cold weather, Northbrook offers a list of warming centers. Click here to view. Cook county also maintains a helpful list of warming centers available to residents.

Looking Out for One Another

Older adults, young children, and neighbors with limited mobility may be more vulnerable during cold weather. Taking a moment to check in can help keep everyone safe.

A little preparation goes a long way in helping our community stay warm and safe during periods of cold temperatures!