Coping with the cold: How to protect your pipes, pets and yourself

As the holiday season is in full swing on Long Island, so are frigid temperatures and possible flurries.

The National Weather Service said Friday morning’s temperatures reached lows in the teens due to an arctic air mass, the coldest on Long Island since March.

Before you write up your holiday list of to-do or attend a gathering, experts say to brush up on tips to keep yourself, your home and your family safe in cold conditions.

FOR YOU

• If you need to be outside, cover as much exposed skin as possible, the National Weather Service says. Head inside if you start to lose feeling in any extremity.
• Wear a hat. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves, the NWS says. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• The service also warns it’s important to stay hydrated, as the cold makes dehydration occur faster.

FOR YOUR PETS

• More pets are lost in the winter than any other time of the year, as they lose the ability to scent their way home in snow and icy conditions, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website says.
• Pets should be inside as much as possible and have ID tags; limit walks.
• It is illegal in Suffolk County to keep your dog outside when temperatures are below 32 degrees or there’s a wind-chill advisory, watch or warning in effect, the SPCA says. Never leave a pet in the car during these conditions.
• If dogs seems to whine on walks, lift up their paws or stop, as chances are that their paws are too cold. Check for red, white or gray and scaly skin on dogs and cats as signs of frostbite. Dogs can also wear booties as salts and snow-melting agents can irritate paws.
• Outdoor cats and other animals will often seek shelter beneath the hood of a car and can be killed by fans or belts, the SPCA website says. Before starting your car, bang on the hood or blow your horn in the case of a cat hiding in it.

FOR YOUR HOME

• To prevent frozen pipes, shut off water that flows to the outside, then drain remaining water from the outside spigot.
• Consider insulating any pipes in unheated areas. You can apply foam insulation or wrap pipes in heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables.
• Start a drip of water from all faucets served by exposed pipes to relieve pressure in case of freezing. 

• If pipes have burst, turn off the main water supply and call a plumber. If the pipe is intact and you can access the frozen section, you can try applying heat with a hair dryer, space heater or warm, damp towels. 

• If you won’t be home during a cold night, leave the heat on, set to a temperature of no less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• PSEG Long Island says to also check that your home isn’t leaking heat, as warm air can escape and cold air can come in through faulty ductwork, ineffective weather stripping or poorly insulated attic access doors, among other gaps.
• Use sunny days to your advantage by keeping drapes open during the day and closing off windows with heavy drapes once the sun sets.
• Make sure heating vents aren’t covered by furniture. Energy Star, the Environmental Protection Agency’s energy efficiency program, says to try using a ceiling fan to keep air circulating — hot air that’s risen to the top of the room will redistribute if you turn the fan on at a low speed in a clockwise direction.

FOR YOUR CAR

Drivers should be aware of the health of their car’s components, as each tends to be affected by colder temperatures.

• Tires — For every 10 degrees the outside air temperature goes down, you lose about 1 PSI of pressure, the AAA says. This can be fatally dangerous especially if one drives over a pothole or icy road. Drivers should be sure to regularly check their tires and fill with air as needed throughout the season.
• When driving in perilous weather, consider bringing along a collapsible shovel, ice scraper and broom, phone charger, first-aid kid and other emergency supplies in case you get stuck, according to AAA Northeast.
• Get your battery checked before winter, especially if you had any issues that required you to jump start it during the summer.
• Be sure to clear snow from the top of your vehicle. Wind and motion can cause it to break off and hit other cars, creating dangerous “flying snow,” police say.