10 safety tips for you and your home during the polar vortex

A pedestrian stops to take a photo by Chicago River, as bitter cold phenomenon called the

 polar vortex has descended on much of the central and eastern United States, in Chicago,

 Illinois.

 Reuters/Pinar Istek

• The polar vortex is affecting some 220 million people in the
•  US this week.
• As a safety warning, it has been advised to stay indoors if
•  at all possible.
• You'll want to make sure you and your home are well-
• prepared for the below-freezing temperatures.
• It's important to take certain precautions such as insulating
•  your pipes, dressing in layers, and making up an emergency
•  kit in order to stay as warm as possible for the next few days.

The polar vortex is officially upon us and temperatures aren't

 expected to rise until later this week. Not only is it important

 to stay warm, but also to stay safe.

There are several important safety measures to consider in

 preparation for the low temperatures.

Try to stay indoors if possible.

Continue to move around if you are outside.

 AP

With such low temperatures, it has been strongly advised that 

everyone affected stays inside. If you absolutely have to go

 outside, try to keep it short.

When driving, make sure to have an emergency kit set aside in

 your car filled with a flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water,

 gloves, boots and be sure to have a full tank of gas.

If using public transportation, keep moving by walking or

 jumping in place to keep yourself warm when waiting at a train

 or bus stop.

Think layers.

Frank Lettiere's eyebrows and eye lashes are frozen after walking along Lake Michigan's ice covered shoreline as temperatures dropped to -20 degrees F (-29C) on January 30, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.

 JOSHUA LOTT/AFP/Getty Images

You'll want to have a base, middle, and outer layer instead of one single, bulky layer. Also, avoid wearing tight clothing, which can prevent blood flow and make you colder. Additionally, take special care to cover your hands, feet, and head, as these areas are commonly exposed to the cold air.

Look for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

It can take only a few minutes.

 William Glasheen/The Post-Crescent via AP

It only takes 15 minutes, sometimes less, for the first signs of

 frostbite or hypothermia to set in. Some signs to take notice

 of include skin turning gray or blue, drowsiness, and slurred

 speech. Seek medical attention immediately and get into a

 warm room or shelter if you are experiencing frostbite or

 hypothermia.

Set your thermostat slightly higher than usual.

Keep the heat running.

 Jeffrey Phelps/AP

Beyond keeping your body temperature up, you're also going 

to need to keep your home warm and well-insulated. Avoid

 turning off the heat in any unused spaces, and do not turn the

 heat down when you go to bed or leave the house, Lisa Cooper, representative for State Farm insurance, told the Daily Herald.

Instead, use the "hold" function on your thermostat and set

 it higher than normal. You don't want the house to cool down

 because the furnace may not be able to get the temperature

 back up again.

Cinch any cracks.

Icicles form outside a bridal shop on January 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Stephen Maturen/AFP/Getty

Look for any cracks or air leaks to prevent cold air from 

seeping intothe house. Commonly, air leaks are found around

 pipes, vents, crawl spaces, wiring holes, and in the attic. You 

can use caulk and foam or insulation to fill those spaces and

 keep the cold air out.

Move space heaters away from fire hazards.

Make sure space heaters don't pose a threat.

 Shutterstock

Space heaters are commonly used to supplement the main

 heater during times like these, but they do increase the risk of

 a fire. It's important to keep them at least three feet away from

 curtains, furniture, and other combustibles. Always plug them

 directly into a wall socket and unplug them when not in use.

Make sure carbon monoxide alarms are working.

Factors can increase your risk of carbon monoxide.

 Shutterstock.com

Cold weather has been known to increase carbon monoxide

 poisoning because people tend to stay in closed environments

 and there is increased use of gas-powered furnaces and other alternative heat sources.

For this reason, it is really important to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working and that they have fresh

 batteries if you'll mostly be inside for the next few days.

Prep your pipes.

This should keep your pipes from freezing.

 Shutterstock

The cold weather also can cause serious structural damage to

 your home if a pipe bursts. Pipes commonly rupture because

 water expands as it freezes causing an incredibly high pressure

 within the pipes. You can relieve some of that pressure by

 letting a warm trickle flow from a faucet nearest to an outside

 wall.

In addition, if you leave your cabinet doors open under the

 kitchen and bathroom sinks, it allows the air temperature to

 keep the pipes warmer and prevents them from freezing.

It's also important to cover all exposed pipes with insulation,

 protective covering, or bubble wrap for added protection. Make

 sure to insulate all pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic

 as well.

Know where the main shut-off valve is located.

The valve needs to be turned off right away if the pipes freeze.

 REUTERS/LINDSAY DEDARIO

Ensure that everyone in your household knows where the main

 shut-off valve is and how to use it in case of an emergency.

 Should a pipe freeze and burst, you need to turn the valve off immediately. Also, be sure to turn off the water heater to prevent damage if you do turn off the water.

Make an emergency kit.

You should have a couple of flashlights and a first aid kit on hand.

 REUTERS/LINDSAY DEDARIO

Should something happen and you lose power, it's essential to have

 a few items on hand in preparation for the worst. Stock up on things such as non-perishable food items, warm blankets, flashlights and batteries, a few extra gallons of water, and a battery-powered radio.