The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for North Attleborough, from 7 p.m. tonight through 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Community members can expect very cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero. These conditions could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.
Community members are encouraged to seek relief from the cold at Richards Memorial Library. The library is open on Friday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, community members are encouraged to visit the Senior Center, which is open until noon. If anyone needs immediate assistance, they should contact 911.
Community members are advised to follow the tips below, courtesy of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:
- Reduce outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets.
- Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single 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 protect your lungs.
- Follow recommended safety precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or a woodstove to heat your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- Make sure emergency generators or secondary heating systems are well ventilated.
- If you lose heating, move into a single room. At night, cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets.
- Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers covered in plastic to prevent them from freezing. Let a trickle of warm water run from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.
- If your pipes freeze, open all faucets all the way, remove any insulation, and heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer or wrap with towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.
