Extreme Weather

Mass. cities to open warming centers during bitter cold stretch

Boston and Worcester are among the cities opening warming centers for those in need during the cold stretch

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A bitter cold stretch is moving into New England tonight, and cities are warning residents to prepare.

In Boston, officials have issued a cold weather advisory from Tuesday through Sunday. The Boston Centers for Youth and Families community centers will be activated as warming centers. Boston city officials warned the coldest temperatures are expected between midnight and 6 a.m.

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Other cities are also opening their centers.

Worcester will offer warming centers at the Worcester Public Library and Worcester Senior Center on Tuesday and Wednesday.

City officials warn residents to take basic precautions during the cold, such as avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure, covering exposed skin and wearing layers. Keep pets indoors and check their paws for signs of injury or frostbite. They also ask that the public check on elderly neighbors or anyone else who may struggle in the extreme cold.

Frostbite can develop in under a minute, officials warn, so look out for the signs.

At home, open cabinet doors to allow warm air circulation and keep pipes from freezing. You can also leave the water on a drip.

Workers at Roto-Rooter expect to see an increase in emergency calls from property owners with pipes that burst.

“Keep the heat over 60 degrees, if you have areas that you know are drafty leave (cabinet doors open) like your kitchen cabinets and your vanities, open the faucets, and let it drip. The flow of water makes it harder for the pipes to freeze up,” Joe Delicio, with Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup, said.

Be careful with space heaters, which are a common cause of house fires. And never use generators, grills or camp stoves inside.

We're expecting bitterly cold mornings Tuesday through Thursday, with lows in the single digits and wind chills dipping below zero. Get your most updated First Alert forecast here.

Get ready for some bitter cold this week, as temperatures are expected to drop sharply on Tuesday.

For more tips on how to stay safe in the cold, click here.

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