16 Wicked Cold Weather Tips Just in Time for the Arctic Blast!

16 Wicked Cold Weather Tips Just in Time for the Arctic Blast! Holy Snow Miser, it's going to be FREEZING this weekend.

I don't know why we are surprised. We live in New England. It gets cold here. And frankly, we've been a bit spoiled since December.

But now it's time to pay.

(And you will. Have you gotten last month's heating bill? And that was when it was WARM.)

There are a 16 wicked cold weather tips to avoid getting the cold shoulder when the temps drop below zero.

(My first piece of advice goes to the Bob & LBF in the Morning producer, Aaron, who always wears shorts, despite the weather. Aaron: WEAR PANTS!)

According to all the meteorologists (and Punxsutawny Phil), it's going to be WICKED COLD thanks to an Arctic blast this weekend.

According to WCVB.com:

"All of Massachusetts will experience dangerously cold conditions when an arctic air mass makes its way to New England at the end of the week.

"The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill watch for the entire state, which will be in effect from late Thursday night through Saturday afternoon.

"We will start Friday in the teens and 20s but by noon time, we are dropping into the single-digits," StormTeam 5 chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon said. "The wind chill will drop overnight Friday night into Saturday morning to 20 to 40 degrees below zero.

"Saturday's low temperatures across Massachusetts will likely be low enough to tie or set record-low temperatures in Boston and Worcester. The record-low for Feb. 4 in Boston is -2 degrees, a mark that was set in 1886. Worcester's record-low for Feb. 4 is -4 degrees, which was set in 1934.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a cold emergency in the city from Friday through Sunday.

That's because there's an increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite for certain populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, older individuals and young children.

So how can you stay warm? And how can you make sure your house or apartment is safe during this unprecedented cold snap?

Wherever you live, here are 16 wicked cold weather tips that will keep you warm and safe:

1. Use your heating system rather than a wood burning stove to avoid the water in your pipes from freezing.

2. Maintain your thermostat temperature. Do not set it back at night during cold spells like this one.

3.Stay inside! Frost bite can occur in 10 minutes in negative 45 degree wind chills.

4. Keep anything 3 feet away from heat sources.

5. Never leave a space heater unattended.

6. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord.

7. Never use a cooking stove to heat your home.

8. Keep your house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees

9. Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly.

10. Check that fireplaces, wood stoves and electric heaters are working properly.

11. Keep your fireplace flue closed when you’re not using it.

12. Keep your garage doors closed.

13. Make warming food and drinks

14. Get moving! Make sure to get up and walk around and get the blood pumping every hour or so!

15. Keep bathroom breaks brief for dogs and never leave them in a cold car.

16. Check your car before you start it in case an animal is keeping itself warm under the hood.

cold Tips Warm Winter

Lauren Beckham FalconeAuthor

Lauren Beckham Falcone is the co-host of Bob & LBF in the Morning. Formerly an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, she credits her current success as a pop culture commentator to watching too much TV as a kid and scouring the internet too much as an adult. LBF is a regular contributor to NECN and is an honorary board member at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Lauren lives in Canton with her husband Dave and her daughter Lucy. Lauren writes about trending topics, New England destinations, and seasonal DIY.

16 Wicked Cold Weather Tips Just in Time for the Arctic Blast!