Cold Weather Safety Tips

When you are outside, frostbite and hypothermia are possible, so you need to protect yourself and others.

Animal and Pet Safety:

1. Bring pets inside

2. Provide shelter and fresh water

3. Keep salt away from paws

For Person(s)

1. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.

2. Wear a hat. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

3. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.

4. Mittens, snug at the wrist, and better than gloves.

Ice Safety

Check out this resource from the Minnesota DNR.

To keep pipes from freezing on an outside wall:

1. Let hot and cold water trickle or drip at night from a faucet.

2. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or near an outer wall.

3. Make sure the heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

4. If you plan to be away: (1) Have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or (2) drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).

If Pipes Freeze:

1. Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water in case pipes burst.

2. NEVER try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Use a hair dryer instead.

3. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer claiming about 1,000 lives each year in the United States.

1. Install a carbon monoxide detector.

2. NEVER run generators indoors.

3. Open a window slightly when using a kerosene heater and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.

5. If your heat goes out, you can keep warm indoors by closing off rooms you do not need, dressing in layers of lightweight clothing, and wearing a cap.

Vehicle Preparation:

1. Check your battery

2. Check your fluids (coolant, wiper fluid, oil, etc)

3. Check your tires

4. Have jumper cables

5. Pack a blanket