Families should know winter safety tips. While we don’t often experience extremely cold weather in north Texas, we know that anything is possible. From cobblestone ice to extremely low temperatures with power outages, north Texas families know that winter weather can prove terrible to deal with. As the temperatures continue to decrease across the area, we should review and update our winter safety plans.
Winter Weather Safety Tips on the road
Driving on icy or snowy roads in the winter months, especially in Texas, can prove to be dangerous. You can prepare your vehicle in a variety of ways for the winter storm season. Thankfully, in Texas, we don’t need items such as tire chains. However, ensuring that your tire treads exist in good condition will go a long way to help you have traction on the road.
Winter Safety Tip 1: Supply your vehicle with emergency supplies
In north Texas, we experience frost and ice in the cold wintry months more often than snow. As a way to keep your windshield clear of ice and frost, ensure that you have a windshield scraper in your car. This will help you to clear your windows after parking outside in wintry conditions.
Also, charge your cell phone before you set out to travel on icy roads. In case of an emergency, you need the ability to call someone quickly to help you. You can also store cat litter in your car that you can throw on the ground underneath your tires to give you more traction on the ice. Avoid using cruise control on wintry roads and make sure you have appropriate tire pressure before you leave home.
Additionally, always check on road conditions and pack an emergency kit in your car before you drive anywhere in bad weather. A good idea includes Including a pocket knife in your emergency supply kit.
Winter Safety Tip 2: Keep kids safe in the car during the winter
Keeping your kids safe in winter weather is a priority for all parents. Avoiding putting your child in their car seat while they are wearing a puffy coat will help to keep them safe in the event of an accident. Bring a blanket instead to keep their body temperature warm while they are riding in the car in cold temperatures.
Additionally, if traveling with kids, you should bring a supply of food that will keep them fed in the case of an emergency on the road. Before you set out on the road with your kids, check the weather reports to make sure no dangerous winter weather conditions exist on your route.
Cold weather safety for your home
While safety on the road is important, winter safety is also important for your home as well.
Winter Safety Tip 3: Severe weather warnings
Be sure to pay attention to weather warnings during the cold winter months. Prepare your home by having an all-hazards weather radio for weather broadcasts that will work even if the power is out. This will enable you to keep on top of bad weather warnings sent out by the national weather service. Keeping an eye on the weather will help you to keep your family safe during the cold wintry months.
Winter Safety Tip 4: Prepare for power failure
Often ice can build up on power lines and cause power failures during the cold winter months. We definitely saw this during our awful winter storm in February of 2021. Stocking up on bottled water, non-perishable foods, and other supplies ahead of a storm will help your family’s preparation in the event of a power outage.
By following winter safety tips before the winter weather sets in, you will not only have prepared for the worst, but you will also avoid the long lines to get supplies ahead of a storm. Stocking up on kerosene heaters or even a generator before the storm warnings come will also ensure that your family has the supplies that they need.
Winter Safety Tip 5: Holiday travel safety
While social media provides a great way to keep friends and family updated on your life, it proves best to not post about remaining out of town for a long period of time. In theory, this could invite would-be thieves to come to steal from your unattended house. Additionally, ensuring that you have locked doors will also deter burglars from entering your home. You can also ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and packages while away. Putting your lights on a timer so that they turn on when it gets dark will also give the allusion that you are home and not away.
Winter Safety Tip 6: Holiday fire facts and prevention
Fire is another winter holiday danger. Many opportunities exist for fire during the cold winter season. Whether that is due to cooking for the holidays, trying to stay warm, or fires that start as a result of holiday decorations, it is important to know how to prevent fires. Space heaters provide a source of house fires if used in non-ventilated spaces or are not kept in good working condition. The heat from space heaters can easily catch nearby objects on fire, so it is best to leave plenty of space around these devices. Additionally, heating devices can emit odorless gas and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition to smoke detectors, your house should also be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors.
Decoration fires can also prove a common cause of house fires during the winter holiday months. Ensuring that decorations are in good working condition will help prevent fires. Another safety tip is to make sure to unplug decorations when away from home or before you go to bed at night. It is easy for faulty wires to overheat and lead to a fire.
Winter Safety Tip 7: Shopping safely during the holiday season
Holiday shopping can also be a source of danger during the winter holiday season. It is often a time when thieves are ready and waiting to steal from other people. It is important to keep a close watch on your purse or handbags while you are shopping at the store. When you travel to your car with your purchases, it is also a good idea to keep your purse close to your body.
It is especially important to do this when you are shopping with your children and are easily distracted. In order to keep your children safe and warm on shopping trips, park close to the cart return bay in the parking lot. This will allow you to put your child in the warm car while you are unloading your bags into the car and can return your cart quickly without being far from your child and your running car.
How can 127 Pediatrics help?
At 127 Pediatrics, the health and safety of children is our number one goal. We offer convenient and evidence-based pediatric medical care to kids in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Send us a message today and find out how an at-home pediatrician can make your life better.
© 127 Pediatrics; December 2022
Dr. Andrea Wadley is the owner, pediatrician, and breastfeeding medicine specialist for 127 Pediatrics. She has an established house calls-only pediatric practice in Colleyville, TX. Dr. Wadley sees patients all over Tarrant county for concierge breastfeeding medicine consults, lactation consults, fourth-trimester care, tongue tie clipping, and medical ear piercing.
