Ways to stay warm amid frigid temperatures for you and your pets
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -From Friday to Tuesday, the local area will be seeing temperatures that are well below freezing, which can pose a danger if you’re not properly covered. News 40 spoke to Med Center’s EMS department, who told us that with the weather we’ll be seeing in the near future, it could only take minutes for hypothermia or frostbite to set in.
Stephen Parrott with Med Center EMS told News 40, that even though it hasn’t been too frigid so far this year, they’ve had a few calls to prolonged cold exposure in 2024. Parrott said it’s important to layer up, and have no exposed skin.
Staff at the Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society said the same thing when it comes to our furry friends. Even with a long haired dog, the recommendation is that around 20 degrees, it might be time to bring them inside. An animal succumbing to the cold will appear lethargic, shivering maybe and their gums will be cold to the touch.
If your pet has to stay outside, the shelter offers some tips to protect them as much as possible. Tarps around their shelter are needed to block the wind, water and food need to be refreshed periodically as well as using straw to insolate their igloo or kennel. According to staff, things like blankets and towels can trap moisture, making it even colder.
If you happen to be a human or dealing with one, look for reddening of the skin, or maybe even a blue tint. Parrott said numbness is the first sign of frostbite, so make sure you listen to your fingers and toes.
