Easthampton to Open Warming Center for Extreme Cold This Weekend

EASTHAMPTON — With temperatures forecast to drop significantly over the next few days, the city of Easthampton will have a warming center open to support anyone in need of a safe, warm space during extreme cold conditions. From Saturday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 26, the Easthampton Public Safety Complex, located at 32 Payson Ave., will be open 24 hours as needed.

The city also offers tips for what to do during extreme cold weather:

• Reduce outdoor activity for the whole family, including pets.

• Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of one heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your arms, legs, hands, and feet. Cover your mouth with a scarf to help protect your lungs.

• Follow recommended safety precautions when using space heaters, fireplaces, or wood stoves to heat your home. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

• Ensure emergency generators or secondary heating systems are properly ventilated.

• If you lose heat, move everyone into a single room. At night, cover windows and exterior doors with extra blankets or sheets.

• Wrap pipes with insulation or layers of newspapers covered in plastic to help prevent freezing.

• Let a small trickle of warm water run from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.

• If pipes freeze, open all faucets fully, remove insulation, and warm the pipe with a hair dryer or towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.