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My thanks to
Englander Wood Stove Store &
Pro Sweeps for the Sponsorship
of these Winter Safety Tips! |
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England's Wood
Stove Store
865-982-8194
Wood stoves
and wood burning fireplaces,
specifications, manuals. We
carry Buck, Englander, Blaze King,
Heatilator, Peterson, Napoleon, ElectraFlame,
and more... |
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Professional Chimney Sweeps
Our
trained professionals will
thoroughly clean your entire chimney
from top to bottom. Then they will
clean out your fireplace or stove.
Have a wood stove insert?
Professional Chimney Sweeps'
technicians have the proper tools to
remove your unit, clean and
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theBlountWeb
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Winter & Cold
Weather |
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Christmas Tree
Tips & Safety
The winter
holidays are a time for celebration, and
that means more cooking, lots of
entertaining, and an increased risk of
fire. In recent years, nearly 600 fires
per year have been started by ignition
of Christmas trees in the US. (510 in
homes), |
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Burning Solid
Fuels
Firewood, one of nature's most common
methods of storing solar energy, is a
renewable energy source. It is a
relatively clean, efficient, safe energy
source having low sulfur content and is
generally found throughout the country.
Its primary products... |
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Winter Pet Care
Dr. Louise
Jones
Cold Weather
Pet owners should be reminded that most dogs and
cats do feel the cold and the wind just as we
humans do. Just because your dog has survived
the cold, it does not mean that it does not
suffer from the cold temperature and that it is
enjoying it. The weather has been mighty cold in
the last few weeks and during my daily walks, I
still see dogs that are left outside day in and
day out, 24 hours a day in spite of the bitter
cold. Some of those dogs' only protection is a
very poorly fabricated dog house with very
little insulation and comfort against the cold
and the wind.
What is the use of having a pet if one does not
have enough love for that animal to provide a
warm bed for it all year round but particularly
in the bitter cold weather? Cats and dogs'
purposes on the earth are to be companion
animals; they are meant to be treated like
family members. Animals are not commodities nor
are they disposable. Your dog 's constant
longing is to be constantly at your side and
shower you with unconditional love. No matter
what treatment they get, most dogs will love
their person unconditionally. Cannot we do the
same for them?
Pet owners should be made aware of winter's
dangers which include harsh weather, leaked
antifreeze, road salt. Most dogs and cats are
better off indoors except when taken out for
exercise. This will insure your animal's safety
and decrease the risk for your pet of contacting
the various health problems caused by too long
exposures to cold temperatures.
One of the hazards a pet may face in winter when
exposed to extreme cold is frostbites on the
feet, ears and other areas of the body not
covered by enough hair. Signs of frostbites
include skin that is pale and cool to the touch
and decreased sensation in the affected area.
After thawing, there may be pain and the skin
may look like it was burned. If frostbite is
suspected, gently thaw the area with lukewarm
water, then take your pet to a veterinarian.
During the cold weather, it is a good idea to
knock on your car's hood or sound the horn
before starting the engine as cats permitted to
run free or stray cats that are looking for a
warm spot, often climb up inside the engine
seeking some comfort. Needless to say this can
be harmful for the cat and for your engine.
Ideally, your dog or your cat should live
indoors, as part of the family. However, if for
some reason you are unable to keep your pet
inside with you, adequate preparation for the
cold weather is essential. If your dog has short
hair, it is most likely that it will not be safe
for the dog to be left outside very long in the
winter months. If you have a large, long-haired
dog with a thick coat, your dog may do very well
outside in the winter when provided with the
right kind of shelter.
In order to be effective, a doghouse must meet
certain criteria. The entire structure should be
a few inches off the ground to prevent dampness.
The outside should be waterproof and draft-free
with the entrance being sheltered from the wind.
The inside should be just large enough that the
dog can lie down and have a little head room
when sitting - but no larger than that because
the dog's body heat will help keep the doghouse
warm. Fresh hay or straw can be put down and
changed periodically to provide additional
comfort. At one time when living in the country,
I did leave my German Shepherds outside from
time to time but I put several bales of straw
all around the doghouses and I used enough bales
to cover the doghouse completely. All you could
see was a couple doghouses under a stack of
straw bales. I also lined the inside of the
doghouses with carpets for maximum comfort. This
way, the dogs were never cold when spending a
few hours outside.
Hazardous
Substances
ETHYLENE GLYCOL, the major ingredient in
antifreeze, attracts both dogs and cats because
of its sweet taste. But it is extremely
poisonous: a tablespoon can kill a cat and half
cup can be fatal to a 25 pound dog. The Illinois
Animal Poison Control Information Center says
that pets that drink antifreeze may act drunk,
stagger and be depressed, sometimes within 30
minutes of ingestion. This may last 6 to 12
hours at which time the animal may even appear
better. Within two days, however, a fatal dose
will cause prolonged vomiting, severe kidney
pain, ulcers in the mouth and excruciating death
from kidney failure. If your pet should swallow
antifreeze, call your veterinarian at once.
ROCK SALT is another substance to be wary
of in winter. As it is abrasive, it may cut into
an animal's paw and the salt can become imbedded
in the wound, causing inten0se pain. Pets may
proceed to lick their paws and burn their mouth.
Dogs may eat rock salt which will cause
vomiting. When bringing in a pet from the
outside during an icy-cold day, check its feet.
Remove ice balls between the animal's toes and
wipe its feet with a damp towel, especially
after walking on heavily salted pavement |
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