01/12/2024
Cold Weather is Headed our way...Be Prepared!
As we head into the weekend temps are supposed to plunge starting Sunday night. Remember that this is when Pipes can Freeze and the Electricity can go out. Be aware during this type weather and be prepared for all situations. Whether it is being at Home, Work, Driving etc. Also remember to bring your pets inside and to check on Elderly Neighbors, Families and Friends to insure they are OK.
The detailed list below may help you to think of items you need to take care of. Some of these may be a little over the top for our area, but the majority of these tips will be helpful.
And if things go badly and you have pipes burst, remember we at AlfaPro are very experienced in Water extraction and Structural Drying. We have Trucks and Trailers loaded and ready to roll...Just in case.
Stay Warm and Safe!
** Be aware of the weather conditions by monitoring the Media.
Be in the Know
Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity.
Have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes:
Flashlights
Portable radio
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Bottled water
Non-perishable food.
Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least half-full.
AAA Tips: Make your car cold weather ready
Carry a Winter Survival Kit in the trunk including:
Blankets
Extra clothing
Flashlight with spare batteries
A can & waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water)
Non-perishable foods
Windshields scraper
Shovel
Sand
Towrope
Jumper cables.
During an Extreme Cold Emergency
Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young. Also consider your pets.
Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing.
Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
Wear a hat, mittens (rather than gloves) and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities.
Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
Check with elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors to ensure their safety.
Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damage to body tissue that is frozen.
Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose.
If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.
Slowly rewarm the affected areas as you await medical assistance.
Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are:
Uncontrollable shivering
Memory loss
Disorientation
Incoherence
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Apparent exhaustion.
If the person’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. If medical assistance is not available, slowly warm up the person, body core first, wrapping them in a blanket or using your own body heat.
Do not warm the extremities first, for this drives the cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart failure.
Do not give the person alcohol, coffee, tea or any hot food or beverage. Warm liquids are best.
If the Power Goes Out
If electricity is lost for an extended period of time, a snowbank in your yard can become a makeshift freezer for food.
When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms.
If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.
Protect Your Pipes
To keep pipes from freezing:
Wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
Allow a trickle of hot and cold water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past.
This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze.
Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.
Open cabinet doors that have water lines inside.
Protect Your Pets
The ASPCA says if it’s too cold for humans outside, it’s likely too cold for pets.
Outdoor dogs must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to both sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat.
The floor should be elevated a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw.
The entrance of the doghouse should be turned to face away from prevailing winds. (Usually from the N)
The entrance should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.
**Tips Courtesy KRQE News**