Stay safe in cold weather
Frostbite symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and tip of the nose. If you see these signs, seek medical care immediately.
Hypothermia is a condition that develops when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness in adults and children. In infants, symptoms can include bright red or cold skin and very low energy. If you notice anyone exhibiting any of the symptoms of hypothermia, seek medical care immediately.
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide are often mistaken for the flu and include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath or chest pain, nausea or vomiting, and confusion. If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, or your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.
Overexertion is dangerous. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make an existing medical condition worse.
Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate pets' paws, and be sure to keep anti-freeze, salt and other poisons away from pets.
For additional information, contact your county or tribal emergency management office, the National Weather Service or ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov.
A temperature of -20 degrees and winds of 10 to 15 mph forecast for Sunday night can produce wind chills of -40 to -45 degrees, which will significantly increase the threat of frostbite and hypothermia for people, pets and livestock. At these temperatures, frostbite on exposed skin can occur in less than 10 minutes, and vehicles can refuse to start.
Green County Emergency Management has coordinated with three communities to provide emergency warming centers in Monroe, Brodhead and New Glarus, according to Tanna McKeon, GCEM director, on Friday.
These centers will be available from noon Sunday until Wednesday morning, only as needed. For example, someone who may have a furnace out or who is homeless can come to the center. Anyone who needs assistance should call their local police department or the Green County Sheriff's Department.
McKeon reported that the wind chill will be -40 degrees by Monday, and the temperatures that low are life threatening.
Everyone must take extra precautions to ensure their safety, she added.
Because of our small communities, public officials "are familiar with those who are homeless and have knowledge of whether they have a safety net in place" - a place to go in times of emergencies, McKeon said. "But there are some who may fall between the cracks."
Animals, even those used to living outside, can also suffer frostbitten ears, noses and feet if left outside during bitter cold weather.
Bring pets inside during frigid weather, if possible. Even if left in a car, a pet alone can freeze to death. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate pets' paws. Cats sometimes crawl under cars and into the engine compartment, seeking shelter and warmth. Bang on the hood before starting the car on cold days to startle sleeping animals.
Animals that have to stay outside should be kept dry and given shelter from the wind, plenty of bedding, fresh food, and fresh water, Dr. Ed Demianiuk with Monroe Vet Service said. Without enough calories, an animal will lose weight in cold weather.
"In this kind of temperature, outside for long periods of time, an animal's nutritional needs are 50 percent or more than normal," Demianiuk said. "Outside, they need more food energy just to heat themselves."
Demianiuk said good bedding built up for the animal to nest in will help it keep its body heat and stay warm.
The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the "Deceptive Killers," because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.
Bob Hole, owner of U Never Know Repair Inc. in South Wayne said Thursday he already had a couple cars that were frozen up come in to his business this winter.
"Check the coolant, make sure it's (testing) cold enough for Wisconsin weather," he said. One frozen car "that came from Arizona had just water (in its radiator)," he said.
On-going general maintenance is best for preparing for winter and the cold weather, he said.
"Get your battery load tested. Make sure your windshield washer fluid won't freeze; even normal fluid is good to minus 20," he said. "Check your wipers and tire pressure, too."
Green County Highway Commissioner Jeff Wunschel asks that drivers be patient if they do have to be out on the roads in freezing temperatures.
Most road salts can't melt the ice on pavements under 10-15 degrees, he said, and some products that can become cost prohibitive, Wunschel said.
"So, there'll be some slippery spots, but we do put down abrasives at stops signs and on curves," he said.
Until the area gets some sunshine and moderate temperatures to melt the roads clean, take some extra time getting to destinations, he added.
Green County Emergency Management also advises keeping a winter emergency kit in vehicles. Items to include in the kit are candles and matches, a flashlight, pocket knife, snacks, a cell phone adapter, a blanket and extra clothing. Also check with 511WI for road conditions.
At home, make sure furnace exhaust and in-take pipes are cleared of snow and ice, said Doug Zettle of Zettle Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. in Brodhead. Frost from condensation can also build up, and homeowners can simply break it off, he added.
GCEM warns never to run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside a home or an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel will produce carbon monoxide. Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside. Generators should be run a safe distance from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors. Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.