Tips for caring for your pets, cars and homes in cold weather
Temperatures dipping into the teens this week highlight the need for cold-weather safety in many aspects.
The main focus is keeping people warm and safe. Downtown Door, operated by No Wrong Door, plans to be open every night this week, Executive Director Sheila Jenkins said. Downtown Door opens at night when temperatures dip to 20 degrees or lower.
When open as a warming station, the space at 381 E. Main St. opens at 5:30 p.m. and remains open until 8 a.m., depending on volunteers.
Jenkins said Downtown Door was open Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, and housed 19 and 15 people, respectively.
Night openings for Downtown Door will be announced on the No Wrong Door website, nowrongdoornc.org, and Facebook page. Downtown Door is usually open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is located on East Main Street, across from Seay’s Farm & Garden.
Schools were on a three-hour delay Tuesday morning. A mix of rain and snow is expected later in the week, which could alter the school schedule again on Friday. Updates regarding school will be posted on our Facebook page and website, as well as the Macon County Schools sites.
Vehicle maintenance
With snow, ice and dipping temperatures, vehicle maintenance is a must during the winter.
Darren Chastain, manager at Parts City Auto Parts in Franklin, said the first thing people may notice is tire pressure drops.
“That in itself will cause uneven tire wear, but it’ll also cause traction issues,” Chastain said.
Removing snow/ice buildup on a windshield is also important, and not just a hole large enough to see through, Chastain said. He suggests putting windshield wipers up at night, because having ice buildup on them can lead to consequences.
“The first time you hit the button, they’re stuck to the windshield and it jerks every bit of the rubber off and then you have no wipers,” Chastain said.
Older batteries, those at least four or five years old, are at risk in cold weather and can quit unexpectedly.
Chastain also recommended keeping two or three blankets in your car in case the roads become impassible due to weather or you run out of gas, as well as fitting tire chains.
“I mean, like, for example, going from here to my house, I know I’m not going to need tire chains,” Chastain said. “But if I’m going from here to Highlands, probably throw some in.”
Pet and farm animal tips
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pet owners should know their cold tolerance levels and not fall for common beliefs that cats and dogs are more cold-weather resistant because of their fur.
“Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather,” the American Veterinary Medical Association stated. “Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.”
The AVMA recommends short walks in cold weather and checking your dog’s paws frequently for cracked or bleeding paw pads. Owners should wipe their pets’ paws after going outside due to possible contact with de-icing products.
Vehicle owners should also look out for stray or local cats around car engines if they are heated up before leaving.
“Blankets can help protect horses, but a structural shelter with proper ventilation and dry bedding is the best method of protection. If you do blanket your horses, be sure to check underneath often for signs of injury, infection, or malnutrition,” the AVMA states.
For livestock, while they can tolerate the cold weather more, weather causes a greater expenditure of calories, possibly requiring more feed to keep up their energy levels.
Preventing frozen pipes
For homeowners, checking on water pipes is paramount when cold weather approaches.
“Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break,” the American Red Cross states.
To prevent pipes from freezing, drain swimming pool water and water sprinkler supply lines. Outdoor hoses should be drained and stored indoors. Indoor valves supplying outdoor hose spigots should be closed and the outside spigots opened so any remaining water can expand when freezing without causing the pipe to break.
Water supply lines in unheated areas are at risk, both hot and cold. Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines there.
Other tips for preventing frozen pipes include:
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set it to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.
How to thaw frozen pipes
• If you turn on a faucet and only produce a trickle, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until restoring full water pressure. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.