Extreme Cold Weather and Wind Chill Advisory 2/3/23
During this extremely cold weather, the Town of Hanover urges residents to limit time outdoors, especially seniors, children, and pets. Please be aware of the potential for isolated power outages and wind chills as low as -15° to -45° late Friday night through Saturday morning.
When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Visit our Winter Weather Preparedness resources to learn how to prepare and stay safe.
If anyone needs assistance, has questions, or is concerned about the well-being of a fellow resident, don't hesitate to get in touch with Hanover's Town Manager at 339-214-5303 (call/text) or send a message to joseph.colangelo@hanover-ma.gov. For all emergencies, dial 911.
Watch for Signs of Cold-Related Illness
Extreme cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and body tissue.
- Symptoms: Loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.
- Treatment: Get the person to a warm location. Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area. Seek medical attention immediately.
Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature and is life-threatening.
- Symptoms: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, and slurred speech.
- Treatment: If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, seek medical attention immediately. Get the person to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or putting the person in dry clothing and/or blankets. Offer warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the person is conscious.
Space Heaters
Keep space heaters at least three feet from curtains, bedding, and anything else that can burn. Plug space heaters directly into a wall electrical socket, not an extension cord or a power strip, and remember, they are for temporary use. Always turn a space heater off when you leave the room and supervise children and pets while they are around them.
When purchasing a space heater, select a brand tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Newer space heaters should have an automatic shut-off switch that turns the device off if it tips over. Unvented kerosene space heaters are illegal for sale and use in Massachusetts. The risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that they pose is too great.
Fireplaces, Wood Stoves, and Pellet Stoves
Fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves should also be used safely. Open the dampener before lighting a fire; use only dry, seasoned wood; don’t use flammable liquids to start the fire; and keep a three-foot “circle of safety” around the fireplace or stove free of anything that can burn. Shovel ashes from the stove or fireplace into a metal bucket with a metal lid and place it outside on the ground away from the building. Officials recommend having the chimney inspected and the flue cleaned at the beginning of the heating season: most chimney fires occur because of a build-up of creosote, a tarry byproduct of burning wood.
Natural Gas and Oil Heat
If you have a furnace, water heater, or oil burner with a pilot light, keep the three-foot “circle of safety” clear of anything that could catch fire, and don’t store gasoline, painting supplies, or other flammable solvents in the home: their vapors can be ignited by a pilot light. These heating systems should be checked each year, as well. If you smell gas, don’t use any electrical switches or devices: get out, stay out, and dial 911.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Reminder
Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of fatal poisonings, and home heating equipment is the leading source of carbon monoxide in the home. We can’t see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, but CO alarms can alert you to the danger. If your CO alarm activates, leave the residence and dial 911.
Create and Practice a Home Escape Plan
Everyone should have a home escape plan that accounts for two ways out of every room, and everyone should be able to open the doors and windows along the way. Remember that children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need extra assistance.
Check on Neighbors
Check on your neighbors over the weekend. Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
Power Outages
If you lose power, please notify National Grid at 800-465-1212 to ensure that your outage is reported. To report a downed power line, stay away and dial 911.
- Town of Hanover Power Outages Information
- Power Outage Safety Tips
- National Grid Live Updates
- MEMA Outage Tracking Map
- Stay Connected with National Grid
Sign up to receive personalized real-time outage information.
- For email or phone alerts: Login to your National Grid account and update your preferences. If you don't have an online account, register online.
- Text REG to 64743 to receive text alerts (have your 10-digit account number ready)