Stay Safe in Cold Weather

Emily Fay

January 15, 2026

When temperatures drop into the single digits, it’s very important to take steps to keep your family and home safe. Check out these tips on staying safe in cold weather!

Dressing for Cold Weather

The National Weather Service (NWS) shares how to dress for cold weather. Wearing multiple layers will help keep you warm as the temperatures drop. Wearing layers also helps prevent frostbite when outdoors. Frostbite can happen in minutes, especially on the extremities like your fingers, toes, nose, and ears, but can affect any area of exposed skin. It’s important to cover all exposed skin areas when in extreme cold.

Prevent Hypothermia

Tips from the NWS to help prevent hypothermia:

• Dress in layers.
• Wrap up well when going outside in the cold.
• Avoid breezes and drafts indoors.
• Eat nutritious food and wear warm clothes to ward off winter chill.
• Wear a warm hat in the winter.
• Eat hot foods and drink warm drinks several times during the day.
• If you live alone, ask a family member or neighbor to check on you daily or have a camera installed that a family member can view on their computer.
• Ask your doctor if any medicine you’re taking increases your risk of hypothermia. Drugs that may cause a problem include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chlorpromazine, reserpine, and tricyclic antidepressants.
• Learn more on how to prevent hypothermia and frostbite here.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Open the doors of cabinets with pipes inside, such as under your kitchen sink. This allows the warmer room temperatures to flow in.
• Keep water moving through the pipes by dripping the faucets in your kitchen, bathrooms, or wherever there is a sink.
• Check out these handy tips from American Water to avoid frozen pipes this winter.

Bring Your Pets Inside

• Your pets get cold, too! Make sure you bring them inside and out of the wind and cold temperatures.
• Check out more tips on keeping your pets safe during the winter.

Check on Friends and Neighbors

• Check on your friends, family, and neighbors when cold temperatures are in the forecast.
• Make sure those who are more vulnerable to the cold, such as the elderly or those with medical conditions, have everything they need for the cold weather.

NWS Weather Headlines

Be familiar with NWS winter-weather headlines to stay prepared for inclement weather.