It’s that time of year again when we start preparing our homes, autos, and wardrobes for the cold and snowy season. We can also add some prep work for our loving pets.
Home
Protecting our safe place can be time-consuming but very important to our safety.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Habitually test and change the batteries in your household smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once annually.
Pipes – Invest in pipe insulation for plumbing that borders an exterior wall. If you don’t have frost-proof spigots, close the interior shut-off valves that lead to outdoor faucets. In extreme cold, let cold water drip from your indoor faucets.
Furnace Filters – Replace more often during the winter months. Routine replacements keep your heating system operating at its best, improve the quality of the air that you breathe, and save you on energy usage. Scheduling a furnace inspection is never a bad idea.
Avoid Icy Gutters – Ensure your gutters are free of leaves and other debris.
Roof – Before the first snowfall, check your roof for damaged, loose, or missing shingles that may leak when snow melts or during severe storms. Make sure seals around chimneys and vent stacks are intact.
Fireplace – Clean your fireplace and chiney: A professional chimney cleaning can help ensure your fireplace is safe to use and in good structural condition. Check your damper: The damper is your fireplace’s first line of defense against the cold. Check your chimney cap: A chimney cap keeps rain, snow, birds, and other animals from getting into your fireplace system. Clean the blower: If your fireplace has a blower, clean it thoroughly before the cold weather sets in. Always keep a screen around an open flame. Do not close damper when ashes are hot.
Space heaters – Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding, or other flammable materials. Never cover your space heater. Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water. Never leave children unattended near a space heater. Make sure that the cord of a space heater is not a tripping hazard, but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs. Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater.
Snow removal or service – If you take care of your own snow removal, make sure your snowblower has been tuned up and has fuel and that your snow shovels are clean and easily accessible. Shovel around those fire hydrants to keep them clear. If firefighters must dig out a hydrant to hook up a hose, it can hamper their ability to quickly fight the fire.
Salt – When dry, rock salt may cause skin irritation and minor rashes if it meets skin, fur, and paws. Dogs and cats are likely to lick their paws. Ingestion can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, unusual drooling, fatigue, and disorientation.
Replenish or create a home survival kit
o Prescriptions or OTC pain medications
o Candles, lighters and matches
o Flashlights and extra batteries
o Extra phone chargers or battery packs
o A battery-powered or hand crank
NOAA Weather Radio
o Fire-wood, gasoline, or propane
o Extra blankets or sleeping bags
o Non-perishable snacks
o Bottled Water
Stock your pantry with food and water. Blizzards, ice storms, and power outages may cause chaos with your normal shopping routines. Be sure you have plenty of food that doesn’t need refrigeration, such as canned goods, beans, instant coffee, tea, peanut butter, bread, protein bars, and cereals—fresh fruits like bananas, oranges, and apples. Experts say you should stock items you would normally eat. If you eat rice and beans, store rice and beans; if you don’t eat rice and beans, don’t store them. Now’s not the time to try out a new diet. Some experts even recommend buying comfort items like packaged cookies, chips, and boxed mac and cheese.
On the Road
Before you make a winter safety kit for your car, make sure you’ve checked the oil and kicked the tires.
The National Safety Council suggests the following tips to winterize your vehicle in addition to regular car maintenance.
Test your battery – battery power drops as the temperature drops.
Make sure the cooling system is in good working order.
Have winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread.
If using all-season tires, check the tread on your tires and replace them if less than 2/32 of an inch.
Check the tire pressure; tire pressure drops as the temperature drops.
Check your wiper blades and replace them if needed.
Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze.
Warm Your Car Outside – Never warm up your vehicle in the garage, even if the garage door is open. Letting a car idle in a confined area can expose you to carbon monoxide and other harmful gases.
Winter Survival Car Kit List
First aid items
Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA Weather Radio
OTC medications (such as pain relievers, stomach medication, etc)
Common tools
Jumper cables
Flashlights, extra batteries
Whistle
Cash
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container and candles
Blankets and sleeping bags
Can opener
Protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, or other snacks
Garage bags
Driving Tips
Avoid using cruise control in wintry conditions
Steer in the direction of a skid so that when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to overcorrect to stay in your lane.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly
Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds
If possible, don’t stop when going uphill
Pets
The Humane Society of the United States provides helpful tips on protecting your pets.
Keep your pet inside when it’s cold, especially if they are young or old.
Protect their paws: Use booties or petroleum jelly to protect your pet’s paws from salt and chemicals. After walks, wash and dry their paws to remove any ice, salt, or chemicals.
Provide a winter coat: If your pet has short hair, consider getting them a coat or sweater.
Limit outdoor time: Keep outdoor activities short and supervised.
Check for frostbite: Check your pet for frostbite, especially on their paws and ears.
Provide fresh water: Ensure your pet has access to clean, unfrozen water.
Use plastic bowls: Use plastic bowls for food and water to prevent your pet’s tongue from freezing to metal.
Be aware of antifreeze: Antifreeze is deadly to pets, even in small amounts. Wipe up spills immediately and store antifreeze out of reach.
Be aware of car engines: Cats and other animals may seek warmth under car hoods, which can be deadly if the engine is hot or the car is started. Always knock on the hood and honk your horn before starting your car.
Use space heaters with caution: Space heaters can burn your pet or be knocked over, which could start a fire.
Prepare for emergencies: Have an emergency kit ready and include your pet in your plans.
Keep up to date on your pet’s vaccinations. You don’t want to be turned away at a hotel or shelter because your pet’s vaccinations aren’t current. Keep copies in your winter survival kit.
YOU
When you are outside, frostbite and hypothermia are possible, so you need to protect yourself.
Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
Wear a hat. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
If your heat goes out, you can keep warm indoors by closing off rooms you do not need, dressing in layers of lightweight clothing, and wearing a cap.
Keep a charged phone with you.
Choose the right shoe. Snow boots or hiking boots will provide the best protection.
Leave early. Falls are more likely to happen when you’re in a rush. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you’re going.
Walk like a penguin. Take short steps and walk as flat-footed as possible on icy or slippery ground.
Keep your hands free. You’ll need them to help you balance, so avoid carrying heavy loads and keep those hands out of your pockets.
Sign up for weather alerts
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts
https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea
HELPFUL SITES
https://www.weather.gov/ddc/windchillddc
http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm.html
Submitted by Lisa Freed