Cold weather safety and emergency warming
Dangerous extreme cold is coming- please prepare and check on neighbors ⚠️
As you’ve likely heard, dangerously cold temperatures with wind chills are coming, along with potentially heavy snow. In these conditions, exposed skin can develop frostbite in minutes, and hypothermia is a serious health risk.
Stay tuned to your local weather information here: https://www.weather.gov/forecastpoints
Emergency warming information
If you need somewhere warm to stay during the day, visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services warming center map.
Additionally, the St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren County Continuum of Care is working with area organizations to provide the Emergency Weather Response program (EWR) through mid-March 2026. This program is activated to provide a safe sleeping location overnight when the weather is predicted to be 20 degrees or below. If you need a warm place to sleep, call the hotline (636) 344-0177 and they will direct you to the closest location. Transportation services may be available.
Preparedness tips:
Stay warm if you must go outside
Dress as though you will be outside for an extended period, even for short errands.
Wear multiple layers of loose, warm clothing, plus a hat, gloves, and waterproof footwear.
Take frequent breaks from the cold.
Get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite. These include uncontrollable shivering, numbness, weakness, tingling, and more.
during the storm 🌳
Stay indoors and off the roads unless it’s an emergency.
Stay indoors to avoid the dangerous cold.
if you have to drive 🚙
Avoid driving if possible — many roads and bridges may not be treated or plowed right away
Ask yourself: “Do I have what I need to stay warm if my car breaks down or I get stuck?”
Pack blankets, extra hats and gloves, water, snacks, and a charged phone or power bank in your vehicle.
Assume bridges, overpasses, hills, and shaded roads will be slick.
If you must travel, let family or neighbors know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.
Keep your gas tank at least half full in case you get stuck or detoured.
How to prevent frozen pipes 🧊
Set thermostats slightly higher, keep them the same day and night, and never below 55°F.
Keep faucets running at a slight drip.
Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
Make sure you know how to shut off your home’s water supply.
heating and carbon monoxide safety 🔥
Never use grills, camp stoves, or gas ovens/stovetops to heat your home.
Make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms on every floor and test them by holding the test button.
Check that furnace and dryer exhaust vents are clear of snow and ice.
if you are using a space heater 🔌
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
Keep them at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people and pets.
Use a model with an automatic shut-off if it tips over or overheats.
Do not use an extension cord or power strip.
Do not plug anything else into the same outlet as your space heater.
For more heating and space heater safety information, visit:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/heating?utm_source=nextdoor
generator safety tips ⚡
Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 20 feet from all doors, windows, and vents.
Connect appliances to the generator with heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use.
Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open. 🚫
Do not fuel your generator while it is running; spilled gas on a hot engine can cause a fire. 🚫
Do not stand or sit downwind of the generator exhaust; if you can smell exhaust, you are inhaling it. 🚫
Do not back-feed the generator by plugging it into an outlet; this is extremely dangerous. 🚫
By checking on neighbors, sharing this information, and using #neighborcheck, you can help keep your community safe, warm, and connected during this extreme cold. 💪