Be safe as cold front passes through

TEXARKANA, Texas — A very cold air mass has moved into the area as part of a cold front.

Highs today will struggle to reach 40 degrees, with temperatures tonight falling into the the 20s, and possibly high teens in some locations north of the Interstate 20 corridor, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Warmer temperatures will return by Monday along with rain chances, as another upper level disturbance moves into the region.

The American Red Cross has issued safety tips ahead of foretasted freezing temperatures for much of Arkansas and North Louisiana along with parts of East Texas recommending that residents plan ahead and be careful.

Download the Red Cross Emergency App to monitor severe weather, learn how to create an emergency kit and access a library of tips for before, during and after winter weather events.

Anyone outside during a winter storm should:

■ Avoid unnecessary travel. (About 70% of deaths related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.)

■ Wear layered clothing.

■ Walk carefully on icy sidewalks.

■ Never use cruise control while driving in the winter.

■ If you are stranded, tie a bright cloth to your antenna and stay in your car. Run the engine for 10 minutes every hour for heat and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation. While at home:

■ Bring your pets inside or make sure outdoor animals have shelter and non-frozen water.

■ Never heat your home with an oven or stove.

■ Monitor local media for the latest news.

■ To protect your pipes: Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate and let cold water drip from the faucet at a trickle.

■ If using a space heater, keep it three feet from other objects, place it on a nonflammable surface and turn it off before going to bed.

If you lose power:

■ Turn off and unplug everything to avoid power surges when power is restored.

■ Leave one light on so you know when power is restored.

■ Keep your fridge door closed as much as possible to preserve food.

■ If you use a generator, place it outdoors in dry conditions away from windows or doors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a generator inside.

Staff photo by Les Minor ■ A jagged row of icicles hang from a covered walkway behind the emergency entrance at Wadley Regional Medical Center during last year’s record snow storm. More chilling weather is headed our way over the next few days, but nothing so extreme is expected.