Winter Safety Tips

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

"Oh the weather outside is frightful…”

Now that we’re in the dead of winter, it’s time to get you and your home ready for a wintry wonderland.

Here a few tips to you and your family safe and cozy during the frost-bitten temperatures:

• Make sure you have plenty of coats, scarves, and hats to bundle up in.
• Speaking of going outside, if you plan on shoveling the snow in your driveway or on the sidewalk, make sure to keep hydrated to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. All that hauling is hard work!
• If you have elderly neighbors, make sure to check on them and maybe offer to help shovel them out as well

Keeping your home safe and warm is important as well:

• Keep yourself, your family members (including your furry ones!) and things that can burn easily (such as clothing, bedding, and papers) at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• If you have a fireplace, always keep an eye on it or use a fire screen to keep embers from flying.
• Turn off portable heaters when not in use and especially when you go to sleep.

If you plan on going out (driving) in the snow:

• Make sure your car’s heating system, brakes, and hazard lights are working properly. Also, make sure your car has enough fuel, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluid.
• Keep a scraper and broom in your car at all times to help remove snow.
• Keep bottles of water and a warm blanket in your trunk in case you get stuck.

For more tips on staying safe during a deep-freeze, be sure to visit the Red Cross’s Winter Storm Safety page.

Winter Pet Care

Written by: Melanie Benson, volunteer

With this week’s chilly start and flurries seen throughout the DMV, there’s no arguing that winter is here. Whether the season fills you with childlike delight or causes you to grumble and count down the days until Spring, the cold and snow require us all to take precautions to stay safe and warm. While family members bundle up, it’s important not to forget our four-legged, furry friends.  

Dealing with the low temperatures, snow and ice are difficult on our pets. The Red Cross and the Humane Society offer the following advice to help ensure that every member of our family stays healthy during this difficult time of year:

• If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water
• If animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles
• Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate a pet’s paws. Wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth 
• Antifreeze is a deadly poison. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach

The Red Cross also offers Pet First Aid classes for pet owners interested in learning more and taking further action to keep their pets safe in the winter. These classes teach pet owners the skills necessary to tend to unexpected emergencies until they can get their pet to a veterinarian. Search for a class in your area here!

Red Cross Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe During Frosty Weather

Punxsutawney Phil Says Six More Weeks of Winter in 2017

By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Volunteer

Each year on February 2, Americans celebrate Groundhog Day, where the most notable groundhog, Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob to “predict” the length of winter. The tradition, dating back to the 19th century, says if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will arrive early.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year – so, if custom is correct, we can expect winter to last for a while.

To keep your animals safe from frosty weather, the Red Cross has practical tips to help you know what to do, including a Pet First Aid App with valuable information that can be downloaded on many mobile devices.

Tips to Keep Pets Safe When Frosty Weather Strikes

Pets enrich our lives, are seen as family members, and depend on us for food, safety, shelter, and general well-being. Winter’s cold temperatures, gusty winds, and wet sleet, snow and rain can be devastating to your animals. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate your pet’s paws, cause extreme pain, and be life-threatening if ingested. Here is how you can help your animals stay safe.

• Bring animals inside during cold winter weather, if possible
• Move livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water
• If animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by a snow drift, ice or other obstacles 
• Keep a dry towel near the door and wipe off your pet immediately after you come in from the cold. Pay particular attention to your pet’s paws and in between their toes so you can dry and wipe off chemical residue
• Do not shave your pet down to the skin in winter as their coat provides warmth
• Petroleum jelly and booties can help protect your pet’s paws
• Ensure your indoor animals have been fed and have enough water for hydration
• Provide a warm space for your animal to sleep away from drafty windows and doors, and if possible, off of the floor
• Download the Pet First Aid App and get critical information at your fingertips

Reducing the Dangers of Fireplace Flames

by Emily Goff

There is nothing quite like the feeling of entering a toasty home after being out in the cold of winter, even if just for the single minute it takes to walk from the car to the front door. There is also nothing quite like the feeling of a nice, toasty fire in the fireplace and warming up among family and friends. However, there are many dangers that are involved when using a fireplace, and it is critical to remember the following tips if you wish to keep your house and loved ones safe.

1. Use wood that is both dry and seasoned and ensure an adequate amount of time, typically around a year, has passed since it was cut. Be mindful of the trees that burn in the safest manner – oak tends to be a reliable type for many people. Never experiment with different materials other than wood in the fireplace – a single piece of a wrong material could fill the room in burning-hot sparks or maybe even worse.
2. Chimney upkeep must be strictly regulated. Be sure to dust away the layers of ashes that accumulate at the bottom, Also, arrange to have a professional inspect your fireplace to ensure it is safe.
3. Crack open a window, even just the slightest bit, to ease the clouding of stifling smoke throughout the room while the fire is ablaze.
4. A fire screen made of glass or metal should be put up whenever a person is not tending the fire. Beware of the intense heat of fire screens.
5. Flammable items such as paper, rugs, and clothing need to remain a safe distance from the flames.
6. If necessary, mark a line at least three feet away from the hearth with masking tape that very young children cannot cross. Do not let infants, toddlers, and pets out of sight under these particular circumstances.
7. Your home must have a functioning fire extinguisher that everyone in the house knows the location of, as well as an established fire escape plan. A frenzy of panic and confusion could be fatal if the worst possible scenario, a home fire, arises. Knowing where to go, what to do, and whom to follow in the case of a fire could ultimately save your life.
8. Do not abandon the room until every last ember has died. Proceed to securely shut the glass door of the fireplace when finished.

Pretty manageable, right?

Ultimately, the peace of mind gained from following these eight guidelines is well worth the trouble and time. We have a long time until Spring, so make sure to master these tips to keep your house and loved ones safe and sound environment while staying warm in the midst of this long and chilly season!

Staying Safe from the Cold Weather

By: Brigitte Yuille, volunteer

Weather experts advise that although temperatures may be unusually high this winter, cold-air outbreaks and snowstorms can be expected. 
 
Some people enjoy staying home with a hot beverage, a warm and hearty meal, snuggling beneath a cozy blanket beside a crackling fire in the fireplace. As nice as that sounds, you’ll still need to stay active and safe. So, here are three ways to prepare and stay healthy this winter season.

Stay informed

Do you know the winter storm risks, history, and snow management in your area? Find out now so you will know what to expect when a storm hits. Get the details from your local emergency management office. Find out how often service vehicles come through your area, what routes they take, and what snow removal equipment they have available. Also, download the Red Cross emergency app onto your smartphone so you can stay aware of the weather conditions.

Stay safe 

An emergency may mean you’re stuck on the road for hours. So make sure to keep your gas tank full. Check out the car to make sure things like the tire tread, antifreeze level, and the radiator are in good condition. Consider switching out your tires for snow tire.  Also, load up the car with items to keep you comfortable in the event you are trapped on the road. The Centers for Disease and Control suggests having blankets, food and water, booster cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, batteries, plastic bags, flares, tire pump and a bag of sand or kitty litter to give your car more traction. Keeping the gas tank full also helps avoid the fuel from freezing quickly. Also, consider the safety of your pets. Take measures to keep them nice and warm and bring them inside.

Exercise

The cold can make it hard to stay motivated, but it's possible to brave the cold temperatures and continue with your exercise routine or to start a new one.
 
When you are exercising in the cold, make sure to dress in layers. The MayoClinic advises having three layers. The first layer should be made of synthetic material that draws sweat away from the body, the next layer should be fleece or wool, and the top layer should be breathable and waterproof. Wear a hat, mittens or gloves, two layers of socks, and shoes with traction to prevent slipping. Also, don’t forget to replenish your body with fluids. If you're heading out at dusk or in the evening, wear reflective clothing.
 
Most importantly, pay attention to the wind chill index and the temperature for that day. The wind chill index makes a big difference because the wind can penetrate you clothes and if your skin is uncovered, you can become vulnerable to frostbite.
 
So, when the wind chill is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, or if it's snowing or raining, those are among the few times you’ll need to postpone your workout.

For more information on how to stay safe during the cold weather, visit winter storm safety. 

Sources:http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/fitness/art-20045626?pg=2http://www.cdc.gov/features/winterweather/

Punxsatawney Phil Hits the Snooze Button and Calls for More Cold Weather

By Jessica McEntee, Communication Intern

It looks like six more weeks of winter according to the Punxsatawney Groundhog. Just yesterday morning, Squiggy's Sciuridae family member awoke from hibernation, crawled out of Gobbler's Knob, and saw his shadow, essentially hitting the snooze button for more wintery weather - and groundhog sleep.

As the frigid cold continues, make sure to keep these important facts in mind:

• Watch out for wind chill! It's the combination of freezing temperatures and cold wind and can increase chances of frostbite on exposed skin.
• Help prevent frozen pipes in your home by opening cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate. Also, in severe freezing temperatures (below zero), let cold water drip through the faucet. 
• Check smoke alarms! With the increased use of fireplaces, stoves, and furnaces, make sure to check smoke alarms and replace old batteries.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Even in winter, you can get sunburn due to  intense UV rays and the glare off of white snow. If you're planning on being outside for a few hours, apply a layer of sunscreen to exposed skin. 
• Layer up! Wear layers, and many of them, to stay warmer. Wearing one large coat is not as effective in conserving body heat unless you layer clothing underneath. 

With winter staying around for another month or two, it's important to prepare despite the upcoming transition to spring. Cold temperature can continue into the new season, so stay prepared through the Red Cross! 

If the cold has you stuck indoors, don't get bored! Learn more about Phil and the science and folklore behind weather predicting. 

Winter Weather Tips So You Don’t End Up “Frozen”

By Kelly Norton, Volunteer Contributor 

Has anyone else seen the movie Frozen? If you haven't, I highly recommend it. The movie has lovable characters (especially Olaf the Snowman), an exciting story, and beautiful music (I still can't stop listening to "Let it Go"). Without giving away too much, the story is about two sisters, Anna and Elsa, who are princesses of the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa was born with magical powers that allow her to create ice and snow. One day she accidentally causes the entire kingdom to become completely frozen and trapped in an eternal winter. This leaves quiet a few people unhappy and very cold! 

The kingdom's citizens may have had an easier time coping with their icy city if there had been a Red Cross of Arendelle to provide winter weather tips! Below are some safety tips that I would have delivered to Arendelle to keep everyone safe and warm:

Bundle up and wear practical footwear. When outside, wear warm but loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Don't forget gloves and a hat (ideally one that covers your ears). Wear waterproof boots that will keep your feet dry and will prevent you from slipping. Kristoff makes a great example with his winter gear.

Avoid travel. Driving when there is sleet, freezing rain, snow, or fog can be treacherous. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supply kit in your car (of if you live in Arendelle, your sleigh). 

Stay informed. Watch TV (The Weather Channel, local news channels), listen to the radio (NOAA Weather Radio), or use Twitter for updates from the National Weather Service. 

Run water occasionally. Running water occasionally, even at a trickle, can help prevent your pipes from freezing.

Keep the temperature consistent. This may surprise you, but keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. Changing the temperature frequently can increase the chance of pipes freezing or bursting.

If needed, go to a shelter. If your home loses power or heat during an extended period of freezing temperatures, go to a designated public shelter (like the castle). 

Help others. Check in on people who may require special assistance, such as the elderly neighbors, people you know who live alone, people with disabilities, and families with young children. 

Befriend a snowman or a reindeer. Olaf and Sven end up being very helpful companions!

With snowfall already hitting the DC area, these tips will  may come in handy! To learn more, check out additional winter weather safety tips from the Red Cross. 

And if you're not a fan of winter, just think warm - 6 months to summer!