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REGION: Residents urged to take precautions due to cold

A deep freeze rode in on the back of a snowstorm that dropped between 8 and 10 inches over the area late last week and freezing rain and icy conditions Sunday.

by Jennifer Kohlhepp, Packet Media Group
A deep freeze rode in on the back of a snowstorm that dropped between 8 and 10 inches over the area late last week and freezing rain and icy conditions Sunday.
   Although Monday saw somewhat of a reprieve with temperatures reaching into the 50s, it wasn’t for long. Temperatures began dropping again in the afternoon and plummeted into single digits overnight.
   According to the National Weather Service, bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills associated with an arctic air mass continued to move south and east through the early part of the week. This arctic air mass impacted the eastern two-thirds of the country as a sharp cold front moved eastward. The cold temperatures remained in place through midweek before a warming trend began.
   With the arctic air mass bringing dangerously low temperatures and wind-chills to the state, New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd urged residents to be sure to prepare for extreme weather.
   ”Dress in layers, have an emergency kit in your home and car, don’t overexert yourself and make sure to check on elderly neighbors and relatives,” Ms. O’Dowd said. “Exposure to extreme cold, for even short periods, can have major health consequences.”
   Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, irrational behavior, weakened pulse, shortness of breath and unconsciousness, according to the state health department.
   Frostbite symptoms include white or grayish-yellow skin areas, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness, according to the department.
   In case of a power outage or other heating needs, area residents can make arrangements to move to a heating center open in their region.
   While motorists are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary travel, the state health department encourages those who have to drive to stock cars with emergency gear, such as cell phone, jumper cables, flashlight, sand or kitty litter for extra traction, ice scraper and small shovel, and flares and other warning devices.
   For long car trips, carry food, water, extra blankets and required medications. Have at least a half tank of gas in the car to keep the fuel line from freezing.
   Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms are working. Be aware pipes within exterior walls or unheated areas are vulnerable to freezing. Check that your car battery and antifreeze are adequate.
   As low temperatures blanketed the area, PSE&G said customers can comfort themselves by sealing up openings around and under doors and windows, making sure all storm windows are down and tightly closed, lowering thermostats in unused rooms, closing dampers in unused fireplaces and moving furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators and baseboard element covers.