Check on elderly family members, friends, or neighbors. Elderly and those with serious medical conditions are at risk. Please be sure to check in on community members that might be vulnerable during this cold spell.
Bring your pets indoors. A dog or cat left outside in severe cold weather can die quickly from exposure. Except for exercise and walks, all dogs and cats are safer indoors during the winter. Bring your pets inside when temperatures start to dip near freezing. Make sure they have a warm draft free place indoors with a dry mat or blanket that they can lie on.
Carbon Monoxide is a “silent killer.” It is not OK to heat the inside of your home with any kind of BBQ, propane heater, or any other fuel fired equipment. Only use heaters that were installed with your home and those that are designed to be used indoors. Make sure that your natural gas furnaces and other appliances are in good, clean working order.
Freezing pipes. Insulate outdoor pipes that lead into your home. Seal with caulk around the pipes that lead into and out of your home. Inside your home, leave bathroom and under sink cabinets open to help warm the water. If your pipes freeze, leave your tap on and call the plumber. You can defrost your pipes using a hair dryer on a low setting, working your way slowly from the faucet to where your pipe enters the wall. County residents who need to have their water turned off in order to make repairs to their lines may call 311 or 916-875-RAIN or 875-7246 for more information.
Reduce your vehicle speed. If the temperature stays below 32 degrees, there will be a high probability you will see black ice. Be extra cautious when going over bridges and/or overpasses. Give yourself extra spacing between vehicles in front of you. The best thing you can do is reduce your vehicle speeds.
Watch for tree limbs. As temperatures dip, tree’s become vulnerable to limbs snapping. In such instances, County residents can call 311 or 916-875-4311 for more information.
Visit: www.SacramentoReady.org for more information.
