By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
February 1 marked the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox – just 46 more days until Spring! But before the tulips and crocus blooms appear throughout town, we should take the time to make sure our families are prepared for winter weather. Scientists continue to find that the climate crisis is destabilizing weather patterns, which can not only result in more frequent severe storms but also may impact polar vortices and the likelihood of extreme wintry weather here in Greenwich.
Although my children are growing up and spend much of their time away at college, away from home, our family recently welcomed a new puppy into our home. Something many of us may overlook is that winter weather can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our beloved animals — such as our new puppy, Benson Patrick.
Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate a pet’s paws, so be sure to wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) also recommends that you use petroleum jelly or booties to protect their paws, as well as using pet-friendly ice melt products around your home.
Benson loved his first snowfall a few weeks ago. He frolicked across our yard exploring the cold fluffy snow. When he came back inside, we quickly dried him off. We monitored Benson closely his first time in the snow because it is important to also know your pet’s limits outdoors. Not all animals can tolerate the cold, so adjust your walks as needed, and think about a winter coat or sweater if your dog has short hair or keeping their own coat’s longer — and be sure to bring your pets inside during freezing weather. Do not leave them alone in a car during wintry weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold. If your animal cannot come indoors, the Humane Society of the United States suggests making sure they are protected by a dry, draft-free enclosure large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in their body heat. Raise the floor a few inches off the ground and cover the floor with cedar shavings or straw and be sure to turn the enclosure away from the wind and cover the doorway.
For the human members of our families, it is important to know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. These include shaking uncontrollably, getting extremely tired, turning very pale or getting numb fingers, toes, ears, or nose. If you must go outside during extreme cold or a winter storm, be sure to wear layers, gloves, and a hat.
Also, as a volunteer with the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol, I urge everybody to know how to heat your home safely. Home heating is one of the leading causes of home fires, with space heaters accounting for one-third of these fires.
If you are using a space heater, look for a model that shuts off automatically if the heater falls over. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the heater, including paper, clothing, bedding, curtains, or rugs. Do not leave your space heater unattended — turn them off before going to bed or leaving home.
You should also have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, and wood and coal stoves inspected and cleaned annually. Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. Again, keep flammable items at least three feet away from these heat sources and be sure that any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before leaving them unattended.
Finally, if you must travel during a winter storm — be sure to do so safely. Make sure everyone has a seat belt on (including your pets) and give your full attention to the road. Avoid following other cars too closely, passing snowplows, or using cruise control during rain and snow or ice. Keep supplies in your vehicle, such as a windshield scraper and small broom, a small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels, a blanket, and an emergency supply kit. Be sure to have a full tank of gas so you can leave right away in an emergency and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
Before we know it, the warm weather will be back, Tod’s Point and Byram beach will be full, and the sun will keep shining well into the evening. Until then, be sure to keep you and your family safe and warm. For more tips on how to make sure you are ready for winter weather, visit redcross.org/winter.
Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross, Metro New York North Chapter.
