With exceedingly cold temperatures expected this weekend, the city of Boston is warning residents to stay indoors and take precautions against the cold.
Temperatures in Boston could reach below zero, with the windchill factor bringing the temperature as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit, according to current forecasts from the National Weather Service. Because of the anticipated temperature drop, a wind chill warning is in effect from 4 p.m. on Saturday until noon on Sunday.
“Extremely low temperatures present challenges for our City and our residents, and we are working to monitor the situation and keep all our residents safe,” Mayor [Martin J.] Walsh said in a statement Friday. “I ask each and every single Boston resident to stay safe and to look after their neighbors.”
To prevent pipes from freezing, the city suggests residents allow faucets to drip slightly, keep heat at adequate temperatures, and keep cabinet doors open to expose pipes to heat, if sink pipes are prone to freezing, among other tips. Do not use the oven for heat, bring charcoal or gas grills indoors, or leave candles unattended. Be sure to keep dryer vents clear of snow and ice, the city warns. (Find more safety advice at cityofboston.gov/cold.)
Personal safety, in addition to home heating concerns, is a concern when temperatures are anticipated to be this low. According to the city, 50 percent of injuries related to the cold happen to people over the age of 60. Avoid staying outside in the cold, if possible, avoid getting wet, and stay hydrated. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur at these expected temperatures, the city warns. Frostbite symptoms include “loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose,” and hypothermia symptoms include “uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.” If you are concerned someone is exhibiting these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider or emergency services.
The city’s BCYF Community Centers are available as warming centers, if a winter weather emergency is declared. For information, contact 311.
Weekend wind chills as low as -15° to -25°F. Temps that can cause frostbite in 10 min. https://t.co/fzgo31Akuk pic.twitter.com/5rAYZtdxR9
— City of Boston (@CityOfBoston) February 11, 2016
Insufficient or excessive heat? Report via @BOS311: https://t.co/1bkOCfYIUu #BOSnow pic.twitter.com/lUpi1nJrCQ
— City of Boston (@CityOfBoston) February 12, 2016