JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
As temperatures plummet, community members at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, can keep their home, themselves and their pets safe with these top 10 winter safety tips.
Homes need protection especially during frigid temperatures. The following tips could save money, and more importantly, someone's life:
1. When water freezes, it expands. To avoid broken pipes, slow drip at least one faucet to keep water flowing if temperatures are in the 20's or lower. If pipes do freeze, heaters or blow dryers can be used to thaw them out, but never use a blow torch or open flames.
2. A fire in the fireplace is a cozy alternative to cranking up the heater, but before you stoke the fire, clean and inspect fireplaces every year to avoid chimney fires.
3. Space heaters should be kept three to five feet away from anything flammable. Never lay anything such as clothing, towels, or other items that could catch fire. Additionally, space heaters should also be plugged into a wall, not an extension cord or multi-outlet strip.
The fire department can provide additional information to keep family members safe at home as the temperatures drop.
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Getting stranded in a vehicle in the wintertime can quickly turn into a dangerous situation. The following car safety tips are important this time of year:
4. Maintain proper vehicle maintenance procedures. Check car batteries, keep fluids topped off and keep gas tank at least half full. Frequently check tires for air pressure, embedded objects and unusual wear patterns on tread.-To check your tread, place a penny between the tire's tread ribs with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see his entire head, it may be time to replace the tire.
5. The American Automobile Association recommends keeping an emergency kit with the following items: food, water, flashlight with extra batteries, a blanket, first aid kit, windshield scraper and brush, jumper cables, road flares, and a small bag of sand or cat litter (to provide traction if stuck in the snow.
For more information on winter car safety, contact the Langley Auto Shop at 764-4607 or the Fort Eustis Auto Shop at 878-5440.
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Four-legged family members have fur and padded paws but that does not mean they are less susceptible to the harshness of the winter weather. Keep the following in mind when protecting beloved pets:
6. Pets are at risk for hypothermia and frostbite just like humans. Pay attention to exposed skin on the nose, ears, and paw pads. Short-haired dogs should wear a sweater or coat to keep them warm while on walks. Puppies, kittens, and older dogs and cats should not be outside, even with coats and sweaters, because they do not have the fat, metabolism, or full fur coat they need to stay warm.
7. Salt used to melt snow and ice can be harmful and even burn paws. If a pet is going to wear booties, they should be snug but not too tight as that could cut off circulation and lead to frostbite. Petroleum jelly can also be used to protect paw pads before heading outside. Be sure to wipe pads dry upon returning, especially between the toes.
8. Antifreeze, although sweet-tasting, can be fatal. Watch for leaks and keep antifreeze bottles out of pets' reach.
9. Cats love a warm hiding place, but a car hood could be a deadly spot. Knock on the hood or honk the horn before starting a vehicle.
10. If a pet does not live inside the home, his/her shelter should be dry, draft-free, and big enough to turn around in and sit or lie down comfortably, but small enough to keep in body heat. Bedding should be raised off the floor, and there should be an adequate water source as bowls of water can freeze. According to Dr. Nina Griffin, Langley Veterinary Clinic, "If it's too cold for you outside, it's too cold for your pets."
Contact a veterinarian for more information on how to keep pets safe this winter.
For additional winter safety tips, contact the Langley safety office at 764-5057, and the Fort Eustis office at 501-8824.