Old man winter hit over the weekend and is giving us a taste of what is to come, with temperature highs only reaching the 20 and 30's and lows well below freezing. Some preciptation was expected but luckily Bristow only saw a few light snow flakes but the wind and temperatures were frigid. Saturday with the high winds, the wind chill plummited to single digits. It is not only important to protect yourself when you are out in the cold but also important to protect your animals and your home. Here are a few recommendations to help weathrize your home, your car and tips to help keep your family and pets safe during cold weather.
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces.
• Clean warm-air registers and baseboard heaters. Make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
• Caulk expansion joints and minor wall cracks.
• Check windows and doors for air leaks and apply putty, caulk or weather stripping as needed.
• Insulate water heaters that are in an unconditioned space
• Seal cracks and holes in your home.
• Byusingheatingtape, you can prevent freezing.
• Alwaysleaveadrip going in your faucett to help relieve pressue.
• Disconnect all outside hoses.
• Charrge your devices. Charge your cell phone ahead of winter weather.
• Dress for the weather. If you need to be outside in extreme cold, wear layers, waterproof insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat. At least half of a body’s heat is lost if the head is not covered. Never wear wet clothing, as this results in much faster heat loss
• Winterize your vehicle.
• Check the antifreeze level, battery, fuel and air filters, oil and lights.
• Make sure the heater and defroster function properly.
• Install winter tires if needed.
• Keep sand and cat litter in your vehicle in case you in ice or mud.
• A good idea is to keep a blanket or two and some extra warm clothing in your vehicle.
• Check your emergency kits. Ensure your kits have everything you need; keep one in your home and one in your car.
If you do find yourself without power during a winter storm, these tips will help to conserve energy, minimize heat loss and help keep you and your family safe.
• Open your curtains and blinds during the day. This allows the sun to naturally warm the space.
• Cover windows at night to minimize heat loss. You can use old blankets or sheets.
• Place heaters on a hard, non-combustible surface.
• If the indoor temperature drops to 55°F, opena faucets slightly so they drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Never use a gas range or charcoal for indoor heating.
• Keeping yourself and yourself family safe.
• These will be considered basic needs during a storm. So have these items ready for those “just in case” situtations.
• A Shovel
•Flashlighs and make sure they have good batteries.
• Self powered or battery powered radio.
• Candles
• Non perishable food. ( a good idea is to have a three day supply for each person)
• Bottled water, (Again a three day supply for each person).
• Blankets and warm clothing.
• Camp stove or grill.
• Matches or lighters.
• Be sure to have enough necessary prescription medication to sustain a winter storm.
• Keep your animals safe.
• The best thing to do when temperatures reach the frigid mark, is to bring your dog or cat inside if at all possible. If not, make sure the animal has a safe place to curl up. Hay or straw in their dog house helps keep them warm. Not just a little straw, enough where they can climb under it. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water. One thing to remember, if it is cold to you, then it is cold to them. Would you like to be left outside in the cold?
Check on elderly neighbors and family members to make sure they are staying warm and are safe.