 With frigid temperatures continuing in the forecast, it's important to be prepared to handle the cold weather. Our Sarah Winkleman spoke with local experts about how to stay safe during this bitter cold snap. The best way to stay warm is to stay inside, but with the added use of multiple heat sources in the home, there are many safety tips to keep in mind. When you're using space chairs, you want to make sure that you're plugging them directly into the outlet. You're not putting them on an extension cord or a power outlet, you know, like a six-way outlet. You want to make sure that you're plugging them directly into the wall. Having an up-to-date space heater with an automatic shut-off function in case it accidentally gets tipped over is also recommended. Just make sure you have good clearances around the space heater so, you know, nothing's touching it, you know, the kids aren't playing by it and stuff like that. Fireplaces can also lead to a house fire if not properly taken care of. You want to make sure you're cleaning them, having a professional cleaning them and inspecting them on a regular basis. You want to make sure that you're using good wood, seasoned dry wood, you know, it creates less buildup in the chimney. Now if you do have to go outside, just be sure to bundle up and bring extra layers just in case of an emergency. Most likely places to encounter frostbite are on your toes, your fingers, your ears and your nose. Start off by making sure all of those high-risk areas are covered well. Once it starts getting below zero, if there's any wind at all, you can start getting frostbite in less than half an hour. And colder temperatures mean quicker frostbite. Once the wind chill is down to 40-50 below, which it can be on these 20 below nights, you can get frostbite in less than five minutes. Similar to a burn, frostbite damages the skin tissue and should be treated by soaking in warm water. And if after soaking it for 15-30 minutes, if the circulation doesn't return back to normal, then you need to seek medical attention. Although the key to staying safe inside and out is all about being prepared. Whether that means simply checking your smoke alarms are working or packing some extra layers before leaving home. Reporting in Brainerd, Sarah Winkleman, Lakeland News. If you do get frostbite, it's a report and remember to only use warm water as extreme heat can cause more damage. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.