The News folks are saying this may be the coldest Wind Chill we’ve ever seen, so here’s some tips for Staying Warm and Safe.
Outside:
- Don’t go out there. Schools are going to break early, so you don’t have to get the kids out the door.
- If you must go out, cover up. Any exposed skin will get frostbite within 5 minutes. If your body temperature drops below 95 Degrees, It will have a tough time getting back to temperature, which means you have hypothermia, and may need to seek medical treatment.
- Its going to hurt to breathe. The air will be incredibly dry. Avoid physical labor as well. People are 10% more likely to have a Heart attack in the Winter months, and especially in cold weather, due to your blood vessels constricting to keep warm. Constriction leads to pressure, which leads to heart attacks.
- The Three most common days to have a Heart attack are Christmas Day, December 26th, and New Years Day.
- Make sure you have emergency supplies in your car if you are travelling any distance. The Roads will be slick, and accidents do happen. You don’t want to be sitting on the side of the road waiting for a ride without proper clothing
Inside
- It’s going to be dry. There’s a few things you can do to help alleviate the dryness. Turn on the Humidifier. Not everyone has one of those though, so, cook dinner on the stove, especially pasta. Boiling water will naturally send more H2O into the air, and who wouldn’t love Mac and Cheese on a cold day?
- Don’t turn on your Kitchen (or Bathroom) fans. Those fans can just suck the moisture you’ve been making right up and out of the house.
- Lotion and Chapstick are your friends.
- Keep your Pipes warm. This is the kind of weather that will freeze pipes, and you won’t know it until it thaws, Likely on Christmas Eve. Plumbers tend to charge more for coming out on holidays, and you already probably spent too much on Christmas.
- Make sure you know where your Water Shut off Valve is.
- Leave a cold faucet on at a minimal level. This will keep any developing ice from clogging the line.
- Open up any Cabinets and doors that may block room temperature air from reaching pipes.
- Disconnect any Hoses attached to external Faucets.
- Cover Those Drafty Windows. Hang some blankets over any windows or exterior doors that let heat seep out.
Pets
- Your cats and dogs should be inside. Vets recommend keeping them indoors any time the weather is under 32 Degrees. Some breeds may like playing outside in this, but the majority need shelter.
- Potty Pads. Most dogs can just go run out in this, do their business, and come back in, but if you have to walk them, or they’re older, you may want to look into disposable potty pads to save your carpet.
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