Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is urging residents across the state to exercise caution amid an ongoing bout of extreme cold weather conditions. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), a deep Arctic air mass has settled over Ohio, driving temperatures well below normal levels throughout the week. Forecasts indicate the harshest wind chill values, reaching 20 to 25 degrees below zero, from late Sunday night through Tuesday. Below-normal temperatures are projected to persist into the first week of February, emphasizing the need for proactive winter safety measures.
“Although the statewide threat for heavy falling snow has passed, the extreme cold is only just beginning and is expected to last for some time,” Governor DeWine stated. “I encourage everyone to take caution for their own health and safety and for the health and safety of family, friends, and neighbors.” This call to action aligns with guidance from multiple state agencies, providing comprehensive advice to mitigate risks associated with cold weather, particularly for those engaging in outdoor activities.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol stresses the importance of driving safety during this period. Officials recommend staying home if travel is not essential. For those who must venture out, a pre-trip vehicle inspection is crucial: ensure tires have adequate air and tread, the battery is charged, and the windshield washer fluid is topped off. Drivers should equip their vehicles with a winter emergency kit containing essentials like an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, cell phone charger, first aid kit, water, and food. These items become especially vital given the prolonged cold forecast.
On snow, ice, or slush-covered roads, avoid abrupt maneuvers and slamming on brakes. Increase following distances to allow more stopping time on low-traction surfaces. If skidding occurs, steer in the desired direction while easing off the accelerator and brakes. Should a vehicle become stuck, activate hazard lights, clear the tailpipe to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, and call #677 or 911. In breakdowns or crashes, pull as far off the road as possible, turn on hazards, stay inside the vehicle, and seek help via #677 or 911.
The Ohio Department of Aging highlights the vulnerability of older adults, advising regular check-ins with elderly friends, relatives, and neighbors. Assess home conditions: is the temperature comfortable and heating safe? Are walkways cleared of snow and ice? Evaluate health: alertness, falls, medication adherence, and medical needs. Ensure access to food, water, support contacts, and emergency communication. Contact can occur via phone, text, email, video, or safe in-person visits. To prevent falls and cold injuries, older Ohioans should wear traction footwear, ensure sturdy steps and rails, dress in layers, and minimize outdoor exposure.
Fire safety is paramount as alternative heating sources see increased use, per the Ohio State Fire Marshal. Last winter, 108 fires in Ohio were linked to space heaters. Keep heaters three feet from combustibles, never leave unattended or use while sleeping, plug directly into wall outlets avoiding extension cords, and select models with tip-over shutoffs. For fireplaces and wood stoves, annual chimney inspections, spark screens, three-foot clearances, dry seasoned wood only, and proper ash disposal in metal containers outdoors are essential. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be tested monthly, batteries changed biannually, and units over 10 years old replaced—especially critical after 1,786 CO incidents responded to by fire departments from December 2024 through February 2025. Place alarms on every floor, bedrooms, hallways, and near sleeping areas.
The Ohio Department of Health warns of cold exposure risks, including overexertion and heart attacks during snow removal. Pace shoveling efforts: stretch first, push snow, lift with legs, avoid exhaustion, take breaks, stay hydrated, and consult providers on cold exercise. Heart attack signs—chest pain, discomfort in jaw/neck/back/arms/shoulders, weakness, shortness of breath—warrant immediate 911 calls. Hypothermia affects older adults, infants, prolonged outdoor stayers, and substance users; symptoms include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, or in babies, red/cold skin and low energy. Treatment: warm room, remove wet clothes, blanket core areas (chest, neck, head, groin), warm non-alcoholic drinks, then medical care.
Frostbite develops rapidly based on temperature and wind chill, even on covered skin. Early signs: redness, pain; advanced: white/gray-yellow skin, firmness, numbness. Do not rub or massage; immerse in warm (not hot) water or use body heat, then seek professional treatment. These measures collectively safeguard Ohioans enjoying or navigating the outdoors during this frigid spell.
For more information, visit Ohio Department of Natural Resources.