American Red Cross offers advice on staying safe as winter cold arrives

As the bitter cold of winter approaches, the American Red Cross has issued a list of tips for those looking to stay safe and warm as temperatures dip.

They warn people to wear layers of clothing along with hats, gloves, mittens and waterproof boots. They also ask that people be careful when taking on tasks like shoveling snow in cold temperatures.

They also mention checking on neighbors, especially those who are elderly, keeping pets indoors and watching for hypothermia and frostbite.

For those traveling, it’s important to ensure everyone wears a seatbelt, and drivers should be careful not to use cruise control and make sure to keep their distance from other vehicles on the road. Drivers should also remember that ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roads do.

The Red Cross also wants to ensure people heat their home safely by keeping a proper distance and not using a space heater unless it’s absolutely necessary. If using a space heater, people should plug it directly into an outlet and not an extension cord.