Wareham residents woke up to subzero temperatures on Monday, January 24. Even more chilling, overnight the National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Plymouth County in addition to a Wind Chill Advisory which will remain in effect throughout much of Monday.

With snow in the forecast the town has already begun preparing, the emergency shelter at the Multi Service Center, located at 48 Marion road, is opened for anyone looking to get out of the cold.

The Wareham Fire Department also issued a release on how to say safe and warm as we enter the most unforgiving days of the New England winter. Household heating is the second leading cause of home fires in Massachusetts. Wareham Fire suggests that the high cost of fuels, may led to people to skimp on preventive maintenance and advises furnaces and chimneys be checked by a professional every year before the start of the heating season.

Improper use of space heaters can also cause significant damage and even death, according to Wareham Fire. The organization says to keep the heater away from drapes, furniture, or other flammable materials; instead place it on level surface away from areas where someone might bump it and knock it over.

This may also be a good time to give your car a tune-up. Carl Phillips of J&R Towing & Repair in Wareham said the cold temps aren't great for your car's battery. "If it is more than two or three years old, get it checked," he warned. Phillips also suggests checking the the pressure of the vehicles tires, the cold weather often causes it to decrease, also be sure to fill-up to avoid having condensation gather in the empty fuel tank. The night before a storm Philips recommends flipping out your wiper blades so the snow easier to scrap off your windows the next day.