Home, Pets and Safety: How to Prepare for Winter Weather WGN Radio 720

Shreveport, Louisiana (KTAL/KMSS) – There are a few things you can do to prepare your home, pets, and yourself ahead of the Arctic air masses that are expected to affect much of the country ahead of Christmas.

section: pet / health / House / ice safety / winter driving / Preparation

pet safety

Road salt is generally made up of substances that can harm your pet’s paws and cause indigestion. Sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride are all common ingredients that melt ice.according to ASPCA Animal Poison Control Centerthese can cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets.

Dogs with sensitive paws can also struggle with salt causing their paw pads to crack or bleed. Wipe your feet when you drop them so you don’t have to lick them clean. Pets with paw injuries can be relieved with paw wax or dog booties. There are pet-friendly ice melts that contain urea or magnesium chloride, but they can still upset your pet’s stomach.

Pets can also get frostbite, even if they are cold climate breeds and have a thick undercoat in their coat. american kennel club Say. Dogs, like us, have to adapt to different environments and dramatic changes.

Experts recommend keeping them dry before a walk, spending less time outdoors, and using boots or sweaters, especially for small or short-haired breeds. If you see blisters, look pale blue, gray, or swollen, do not rub the damaged skin or use a hair dryer/heating pad. Move them to a warmer place and contact your veterinarian.

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health

Inhaling cold air can cause a burning sensation in the lungs. Cold air is dry and can affect the process of heat and water exchange and can dry out your sinuses.

Most people adapt quickly, but it can cause symptoms such as asthma. Dr. William O. RobertsA professor at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine suggests wearing a scarf or other clothing to cover your face and warm the air before breathing it in.

It is also important to be aware of frostbite, which occurs when the skin and underlying tissues freeze. The longer you are exposed to cold and wind, the more severe it can be. It can occur even when wearing gloves. The early stages of frostbite are uncomfortable, but they do not always cause permanent damage to the skin. However, severe frostbite requires hospitalization and can cause serious injuries.

of mayo clinic Mild frostbite, or frostnip, can be treated with rewarming, he says. You may think that, but if you wash it with lukewarm water or hot water, there is a risk of burning due to the temperature difference. Instead, try holding it under your armpit.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the early stages of frostbite include coldness and tingling of the skin. As the damage progresses, the skin becomes reddish, greyish-yellow, purple, and darkens to brown or grey-brown.

Frostbitten skin can blister while feeling rewarding. People with frostbite may also become clumsy from stiff joints and muscles. The clinic says to see a doctor if you have increased pain, swelling, discharge from frostbite sites, or fever.

Too cold can eventually lead to hypothermia. This can be a fatal condition, faster than the body can lose heat. According to the Mayo Clinic, emergency medical help should be sought if you suffer from severe tremors, slurred speech, drowsiness or poor coordination. Remove your wet clothes and wrap yourself in a warm blanket or keep warm until help arrives.

When exercising in the cold, it’s best to wear polypropylene or other man-made fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin under a knit midlayer that you can remove if you get too warm, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Yes, they say an outer layer of man-made fabric works best. If you don’t exercise, your clothes will cool down quickly, so be careful not to perspire in your coat.

If a power outage kills your heating this winter, experts advise against leaving your gas oven on.according to CDCAt least 430 people die each year in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning.this happens more in winter When people use heaters and gas ovens to heat their homes.

section: pet / health / House / ice safety / winter driving / Preparation

protect your home

Pipes are more likely to freeze when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Celsius, but there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent freezing. Pipes don’t burst instantly, but freezing is a big deal.

Suepco It is recommended to turn on both hot and cold water to prevent the water pipes from freezing. Attics, garages, basements, crawl spaces, etc. are often exposed to freezing temperatures and can be protected with additional insulation. When you open the cabinet, the ambient temperature of your home will also keep the plumbing warm.

When it’s cold outside, it’s hard to keep your utility bills down. SWEPCO suggests opening curtains on the sunny side of the house for warmth, and maintaining shades when the sun isn’t there. This will trap warmer air inside your home.

Weatherstripping around doors can also prevent cold air from entering your home. They suggest that residents keep the thermostat as low as they are comfortable to save energy.

Windows can be insulated inexpensively with shrink film, keeping the cold out while allowing light in. Shops sell ready-made products. kit for ease of installation. The thicker the film, the more it prevents cold air from entering. Saran wrap and double-sided tape are good short-term options if you’re in a pinch and can’t get your hands on a kit. Take care to keep the window frame dry to protect it from moisture damage.

section: pet / health / House / ice safety / winter driving / Preparation

safety on ice

Falling on ice can be tough, but there are ways to keep your balance and protect yourself from a fall. Experts recommend walking slowly, especially when getting in and out of a car or using stairs. You can also take short steps while leaning forward slightly and walking on flat feet. Keep your weight on your supporting leg for balance and keep your hands out of your pockets.

You can also prevent injuries by knowing how to fall.Created by Chicago Medical College helpful video to fall safely. Encourage them to bend their backs and push their heads forward to avoid hitting the ground. UC recommends slightly bending your knees, squatting slightly, and rolling on your side. This places contact points on your thighs, hips, and shoulders.

Shoes with rubber treads hold traction the best, but plastic soles can be slippery.

section: pet / health / House / ice safety / winter driving / Preparation

winter driving

If you can’t put road salt in your car, kitten toilet If you get stuck in snow or ice, it won’t melt, but you can use it to gain traction. Garbage and sand can also be used on driveways and sidewalks.

Black ice can pose a hazard while driving. Black ice is transparent, so it is often not visible until you are on top of it. It usually forms at night when temperatures drop and can make bridges and road extensions more dangerous.

When driving in winter, drive slowly. If you lose traction, do not brake hard. Release the accelerator and lock the steering wheel in place. U.S. Department of Agriculture When the front end of the car begins to turn left or right, slowly turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. If the rear end of the car is slipping, turn the wheels in the same direction very gently.

When it’s cold outside, small animals may find shelter in or under your car. A bang on the hood to make a noise can safely drive it away before starting the engine. pet health network It’s also a good idea to honk your horn to wake up any animals under or in the engine.

Giving your car time to warm up before heading out will make driving more comfortable and help defrost the windows.

It’s a good idea to keep an ice scraper in your car when the windows freeze or freeze. You can prepare for winter weather by covering the windshield with a tarp or towel. The driver can also raise the wipers to keep ice off the windshield. Be sure to remove snow and ice from your vehicle before leaving. If it begins to melt, it may slip down and cause an accident. AAA warns drivers not to pour hot water on frozen windshields. glass cracks or shatters.

If your door handle is frozen and you don’t have a de-icer, rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle will quickly thaw it.

section: pet / health / House / ice safety / winter driving / Preparation

Preparation

pack emergency kit For driving in icy conditions, including warm socks, coats and blankets in case you get stuck somewhere and need to wait for towing. The Almanac also suggests including bottled water, hand warmers, cash, a flashlight, and anything else that might help you while you wait.

make sure you have more than half a gas tank It also helps keep your vehicle warmer longer if you get stuck and protects your vehicle from the cold.

moreover, consumer report It’s a good idea to have a sleeping bag and blanket on hand in case the power goes out. They say sleeping in tents inside the house helps keep people warm when the temperature drops at night.

At the time of a power outage, a warning of boiling may appear. Fill a bucket, jar, or other container with clean water ready to drink.