Ice dams, frozen pipes and carbon monoxide can pose serious threats to people and property.
When a wintry blast buries the region under a blanket of ice and snow, slips and falls aren’t the only dangers people face.
Ice dams, frozen pipes and carbon monoxide can pose serious threats to people and property. Luckily, advice is in ample supply. Public safety officials, consumer advocates and property insurers offer many tips to cope with the hazards of winter weather.
Commonly called the “invisible killer,” carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can poison the bloodstream and lead to death. Carbon monoxide deaths tend to increase in the winter, when people may improperly use generators or heating appliances, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
When snowdrifts cover exterior exhaust vents on a home, it can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside the dwelling. Generating heat by running an oven with an open door can also produce CO.
While generators help many people who lose power, they can be dangerous if used improperly. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, fire safety officials recommend that generators should only be used outdoors. Even running a generator in a garage with an open door can lead to unsafe CO levels, they warn. To prevent fires and electric shocks, they also recommend that generators be kept dry and only be used with appropriate heavy-duty extension cords.
Poorly insulated attics and clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, one of the most common forms of property damage homeowners experience in the winter. Ice dams form when warm air from a house gets into the attic, slowly melting snow on the roof. If a ridge of ice forms along the edge of the roof, that can cause the melting snow to back up. With no path off the roof, water from the melting snow can seep into the roof, damaging the rooftop, insulation, interior walls and ceilings.
In the historically severe winter of 2015, there were $1 billion in insured losses across New England, according to Mapfre, the largest home insurer in Massachusetts.
To guard against ice dams, homeowners can remove blockages from gutters and add insulation to their attics. Some homeowners may also seek an additional layer of protection by installing rubber roof membranes.
During severe cold spells, frozen pipes can cause serious problems in homes. To reduce the risk, experts recommend letting water slowly drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Water lines to outdoor spigots should be shut off. Opening cabinet doors around faucets can help circulate warm air around the plumbing.
Frozen pipes can be thawed with heating pads, hair dryers or towels soaked in hot water. Using a blowtorch or open-flame device can pose a fire hazard and cause water to boil, making pipes explode, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Severe cold exposure
Emergency experts recommend limiting outdoor activity during periods of severe cold. If someone must go outdoors, it’s recommended that they dress in layers and wear a scarf, hat, gloves and boots.
If you experience paleness and loss of feeling in your extremities, it could be frostbite. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends that exposed skin should be covered, but that you shouldn’t rub the affected area. Anyone with suspected frostbite should seek immediate medical attention.
Prolonged exposure to cold conditions can also cause hypothermia, a life-threatening drop in a person’s body temperature. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion and slurred speech. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should remove wet clothing, get to a warm location, wrap in blankets and dry clothing and drink warm, non-alcoholic beverages, according to MEMA. If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical attention.