Protecting Yourself From Plunging Temperatures
According to the Stormtracker 13 forecast, Monday night temperatures will drop well below zero for many areas throughout southern Colorado.
Affordable Plumbing and Heating plumber, Johan Huber said sub-zero temperatures can resulting in freezing water and splitting pipes.
?I?ve seen [water] go from the third floor to basements. I?ve seen drywall falling down. I?ve seen three feet of water in people?s crawlspaces,? said Huber in reference to the damage caused by splitting pipes.
Huber suggests letting water drip from faucets, showers and baths to prevent the water from freezing. Huber also suggests improving the circulation of warm air in your home by opening cupboard doors and said it is important to know how to shut your water off, just in case.
Penrose-St. Francis Hospital & Health Services? Dr. Tim Hurtado said frostbite cases will also be on the increase with the dropping temperatures.
?If you don?t dress warmly it doesn?t take much in the weather. I?ve seen it in people who are just going out to check their car, to change a tire or put chains on. We?ve had a number of cases already this year,? said Hurtado.
Hurtado suggests dressing in layers and covering all exposed skin. He also advises breathing through a scarf to prevent cold-induced respiratory issues.
Hurtado said it is also a good idea to keep an extra pair of clothes in your vehicle, especially during this time of abundant holiday parties.
?If you?re going to go somewhere in your nice suit, you probably ought to throw some warm clothes in the back in case you get stranded,? he said.
The Humane Society also stressed that people are not the only ones who can suffer from frostbite.
?It?s really sad, their little tips of their ears can get frostbite. Their paws can get frostbite really easily so really just keep them in mind and keep them really safe,? said Erica Meyer of the Humane Society.
She said it is important to limit your animals exposure to the cold and make sure to bring your animals indoors. She also said to put a coat or special canine booties on your dog, to protect them from the cold.
?If you have a larger breed dog that?s pretty burly, just remember that their paws can freeze in the cold,? said Meyer.
Meyer also said it is more likely for a dog to get lost during the winter because they have difficulties finding their scents in the snow. For that reason, she strongly encourages everyone to keep their animals on leashes.
