PARKERSBURG — Area residents are preparing for frigid weather, and possibly snow, this week.

The National Weather Service in Charleston has temperatures expected to stay below freezing during the day with overnight temperatures staying in the teens and even dropping to single digits.

Local officials provided some tips to keep people safe and warm during this cold snap.

Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, recommended having a plan in place before bad weather hits and to limiting exposure to the elements.

“Only be out as long as you can stand it,” Kesselring said. “Make sure to cover your nose, ears and fingers.”

She said to make sure your home has enough emergency supplies to last in case you do lose power. She said to have three to seven days worth of water and food and extra batteries and flashlights.

“We advise to use flashlights and lanterns, and not to use candles as they may cause a fire,” Kesselring said.

She said there are ways to also keep your water pipes from becoming frozen during these frigid temperatures.

“Find the sink farthest from the source of your water, usually a second story bathroom, and just have a dribble fall from the sink night and day.”

She said more information on winter tips can be found on their website at redcross.org.

Roadways can become hazardous even without snow covering them and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office reported 10,256 crashes between December 2022 and March 2023.

It said 22% of those crashes were caused by unsafe speed, 20% were caused by driving off the road and 14% were caused by following too close.

They advise motorists to slow down and increase the distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead of them.

They ask drivers to accelerate and stop gradually, and if you find yourself sliding, to steer in the direction of the skid and let your foot off the gas. They said to not apply the brakes.

AAA East Central said staying home is the number one

But if you do need to drive in hazardous conditions they say to leave early, slow down and never tailgate the car in front of you.

They say to increase following distances of three to four seconds to a minimum of five to six seconds to allow additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary.

AAA East Central also advises carrying an emergency kit equipped for winter weather in your vehicle. They said the kit should include sand or cat litter, a small shovel, flashlight, an ice scraper or snow brush, booster cables, a blanket, gloves or mittens and flares or reflective triangles.

Cold weather can affect some of the more vulnerable members of the community, such as infants and the elderly, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some tips to help protect them. They advise to dress babies in warmer clothing such as footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets, or sleep sacks. They said older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity and to check on elderly friends and neighbors often to make sure their homes are heated properly.

“Make sure everyone is taking care of themselves in your neighborhood,” Kesselring said.

Furry friends also need some extra help when temperatures plunge. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) said just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level and health.

They said be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly, but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.

AVMA said if you are unable to keep your pet inside during cold weather, or if you are helping strays, to provide them with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl. They said the floor of the shelter should be off of the ground to minimize heat loss and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment.

They advise using straw, not hay or blankets.

Garry McIntyre, director of the Human Society of Parkersburg, said to also check your car before leaving as animals will crawl in there looking for warmth.

“Touch your horn, tap on the hood and fender, and they will come out,” McIntyre said. “Also, don’t leave them in the car. The cold can harm them just as much as the heat in summer.”

He said to also be careful of products people use to remove ice when you’re walking your pets.

“Some use rock salt, or other chemicals, to remove ice and those could be harmful to your pets,” McIntyre said.

He said to wipe down your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk that they will be poisoned.