HOUSTON (AP) — Winter weather poses various challenges that individuals need to address in order to stay warm and safe. These risks may include carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia, and frozen pipes that can burst, rendering homes uninhabitable. Public safety officials and experts advise that there are several ways people can prepare to prevent these winter weather dangers and ensure their safety. The hazards are currently a concern as millions of individuals in the United States are bracing for moderate to heavy snowfall from Kansas City to Washington, with cold conditions also affecting the East Coast.
Ensuring Safety Indoors:
During a winter storm, officials recommend staying indoors. However, the prolonged use of home heating systems can heighten the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, as furnaces, stoves, and heaters can emit deadly fumes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that carbon monoxide can also be generated when using portable generators or running cars in garages for warmth or to charge devices. Dr. Alex Harding, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, highlights that carbon monoxide is undetectable by sight or smell, making it imperative for individuals to remain vigilant. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can range from headaches and nausea to loss of consciousness and seizures.
Dealing with Hypothermia:
The cold weather affecting much of the East Coast can be perilous due to hazardous exposure to the elements. Winter storms this week are projected to move southward, bringing cold air as far south as Georgia, according to meteorologist Jon Palmer from the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. Palmer notes that severe cold and strong winds can significantly lower perceived temperatures, potentially leading to frostbite or hypothermia at an accelerated rate. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures increases the risk of hypothermia, a condition resulting from the body losing heat more rapidly than it can generate. Harding emphasizes that hypothermia is a significant concern, particularly in situations of power outages or grid failures.
Protecting Your Home’s Pipes:
Frozen pipes during severe winter conditions pose a specific challenge, especially in the Southern regions where such infrastructure is often located outdoors. Master plumber Jose Parra from Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical in Houston advises individuals to insulate exposed pipes, turn off, and drain sprinkler systems to prevent issues.
In freezing temperatures, it is recommended to allow faucets within a home to drip to keep water flowing through the pipes and prevent them from freezing. “A lot of the maintenance issues we encounter, roughly 80% to 90%, could have been avoided with just a small amount of proactive effort,” stated Parra.
Electric vehicles can face challenges in cold weather conditions. However, experts suggest that with proper planning and minor adjustments, owners should be able to continue their travels almost as usual. Within electric vehicle batteries, lithium ions move through a liquid electrolyte to generate electricity. When the temperature drops, these ions move more slowly through the electrolyte, resulting in reduced energy output and decreased range. This can lead to quicker battery depletion.
In the near future, automakers are expected to devise improved methods to safeguard battery life and warm them up for charging purposes. Neil Dasgupta, an associate professor of mechanical and materials science engineering at the University of Michigan, mentioned to The Associated Press earlier this year that advancements are likely in this area. Additionally, there are ongoing developments in battery chemistries that are more robust in cold weather conditions.
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Tom Krisher made contributions to this article.
