Nor’easter Coming – Is Your Dog and Cat Prepared?
If your power goes out and the only way to stay warm is to turn on your gas stove be careful! Gas Stoves produce Carbon Monoxide that when the rest of the house is sealed shut tight against the weather will build up to very dangerous levels in your home or apartment quickly leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Either leave a window open slightly or make sure to have a working carbon Monoxide Detector to let you know when levels are building and it is time to air your house out. Dogs have been known to alert their owners to dangerous high levels but you wouldn’t want to risk it. On the other hand feel free to use your gas oven to cook something hearty for your family that takes a while to cook it will help heat up the house without the fear of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A better idea would be to use your fireplace to keep warm and everyone brings their pillows and blankets and you sleep around it. Not only will you be cutting down on carbon monoxide issues but the risk of starting a house fire as well. Plus your dogs and cats will be happy because you are sleeping with them all bundled up together. Kids will think it is fun as well having a sleep over party in the middle of the house.
If you have windows or doors that do not seal properly stuff them with newspaper or cover them over with towels or sheets. It will help keep the cold wind of the Nor’easter out of your house keeping your house warmer whether you have power or not. Bonus is that you will save on your heating bill even if it isn’t the most attractive looking.
Get out the covers and blankets now BEFORE the power goes off so you know were they are and can use them if necessary. Forts aren’t just for playing with kids. All the blankets around a confined space will help keep you warmer! Your body heat will be trapped inside helping you stay warm until the power comes back on.
If your dog has a crate put in some extra blankets that they can cuddle into and then cover the entire crate with a blanket. You can just cover 3 sides if you are worried or just leave a little bit of open space to allow some fresh air in. The horrible picture above (sorry our camera is not working and had to use the camera phone) has 3 sides covered with a fleece blanket and a fleece blanket on the bottom and then their pink blanket to cuddle against.
I gave this tip as a part of of our Hurricane Preparedness Guide but please please please fill your bathtub up with water before the Nor’easter comes. The water can be used for everything from brushing your teeth, washing your face, to filling your dog or cats bowl with water, and flushing the toilet. Only you can make sure you and your family are prepared enough. Your house even with the power out should not get below freezing (if it does you need to leave) so the water will be very cold but useable.
Important Tips if you do not have power or if you loose power during the storm:
1. Keep water dripping through your pipes to prevent bursting, as freezing conditions may create serious plumbing problems.
2. Keep your main power circuit breaker OFF to prevent a power surge from damaging appliances when power is restored. The power coming in off the lines when they first go back up is a huge surge that could potentially damage all electrical anything in your house it also puts a huge burden on the lines for Every Single Appliance to come back on line in the entire neighborhood at once.
All great ideas. I don’t have to worry about it here in Texas this time.
Good tips! Also have adequate pet food on hand and store dry food in a waterproof container.