Frigid temperatures to continue overnight
People should protect themselves when outside
By Brandy Nance
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Frigid temperatures will continue tonight and tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service.
Northwest winds will be 10 to 20 miles per hour. Couple that with single digit temperatures and the wind chills will be from 9 to 14 degrees below zero.
“These temperatures could be harmful with prolonged exposure outdoors,” the National Weather Services Web site stated. “These wind chill values are expected again this evening and overnight.”
The low tonight is expected to be one below zero. A chance of snow moves in Tuesday and Wednesday. Freezing rain is possible Tuesday afternoon and into the evening.
Renee Hively, of the Flint Hills Community Health Center/Lyon County Health Department, said people going outdoors during cold weather should wear warm clothing that covers skin. Any wet clothing should be removed immediately. Time outdoors should be limited.
Signs of hypothermia include:
• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Fumbling hands
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Babies with hypothermia have bright red, cold skin and low energy.
Signs of frostbite include:
• Skin redness and pain
• White or grayish skin that feels firm, waxy or numb.
People who have signs of hypothermia and frostbite should seek medical attention immediately.
joetraveler (anonymous) says...
All good comments. Please let me add to this. Regarding clothing, avoid cotton. Cotton kills! It holds moisture next to the skin, which speeds the hypothermia process. Dress in layers that keeps moisture away from the skin and provides warmth.
Synthetic or wool socks
Nylon or silk boxers
Long underwear with top and bottom made of polyester, lycra, nylon and or silk blends
Fleece or wool pants/shirts
Gore-tex or water resistant outer shell that is breathable
Wool or fleece hats
Fleece or wool gloves with non-cotton liners
Neck gaiter or balaclava
Always remember in cold weather, keep your skin dry and warm and stay hydrated. Happy Holidays and stay warm!
December 21, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
What about the poor dogs and cats left out in this cold? I've got some numbscull whose house I pass about 4 times a day who has a yellow lab in a dog run with a ton of hay bails taking up space IN the pen, yet none of them are opened up for the animal to use. No dog house for it to retreat to and damned if I can see any source of H20. A neighbor of mine has called Animal Control twice. Once the animal was taken away, but the last time they called, nothing happened. What's a concerned citizen to do next?
December 21, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
how about signing your name to a complaint and testifying in court so the person can be charged?
December 22, 2008 at midnight ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Confront the guy and say give your damn dog some water. I would also think you could build a pretty nice dog house with approx 20 bales (1 ton) of hay.
December 22, 2008 at 6 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
Ok, so on my drive by this am, I noticed that he does now have access to some hay. He was perched atop a nice bed of straw. Couldn't find water but maybe he gets fed and watered at night.
December 22, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
You couldn't just leave a bowl of water out now obviously, it would freeze solid. Dogs are pretty tough, ours seems content to lay out in the yard right now, rather than on the enclosed porch.
December 22, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
"What about the poor dogs and cats left out in this cold?"
What about them? That's where they belong. Perhaps you should consider that the owner is taking steps to care for the animal or the hay wouldn't be there in the first place. Perhaps he feeds and waters the animal at times when you are not driving your snoopy nose thru the area. My animals are outside too, they get fed and watered 2-3 times a day, have hay to sleep in, but 99% of the time they are laying around the yard or hanging out on the porch in the sun. There sure are more and more folks who can't seem to understand that cats and dogs are not all lap pets that require trips to the pet salon weekly to get shampooed and manicured. I don't condone animal abuse, but having outdoor pets is not criminal. Wake up and realize that nothing was done last time, because the investigator most likely found your report to be inaccurate and unfounded.
December 22, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
Good lord neighbor back the hell off me. Before you jump to any conclusions about me, I also have dogs that do spend most of their time outside. However, they are well fed, watered and have a dog house filled with hay to retreat. The fact that this particular animal has been taken away at least once to due to neglect does make me concerned for him. Not snooping around, but it's called looking out for each other. That's what people in communities do. If that includes our four legged friends, so be it. Call me a softie but it was too much for me to see this poor creature huddled on the cold cement floor the last two weeks with hay bundled right there in the pen, yet him having no access to it. Probably like someone stranded in the ocean surrounded by water with nothing potable to drink. By my previous post, it looks like he is ok thankfully. Forgive me for caring.
December 22, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Just speaking from experience in dealing with people who assume animals are being abused because they are not wearing a pet coat or are seen outside in the cold when their owners let them out to go to the bathroom. Most of the time, these caring people refuse to identify themselves or sign a complaint and are not satisified unless the owner of the pet is arrested and the animal confiscated.
I'm quite sure "numbscull" would have had a much more coarse response to your post then I did. Right now, our dog is laying out in the middle of our yard even though she has a dog house full of hay, fresh water and food available in her pen. Hope someone doesn't call the law on me when they drive by and see her out or stop and "rescue her" by stealing her.
December 22, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
This is the same animal, who did escape his dog run (which he is left in 24/7 with no exercise) and ran several blocks away and ended in my front yard and scratched up my kids by jumping on them. Not in an evil way, but exuberant to be outside of its enclosure. After I noticed his ribs grossly sticking out, I loaded up my dogs bowl with food and fed and watered him. He inhaled the food. I then took him to his home and knocked on the door. No answer. I returned him to his pen and hoped for the best. Noticing then it was summer and he had no food or water another neighbor and myself called and complained and he was taken for neglect. So, I have had some experience with this dog and do keep an eye out for him since, yes, his "numbsull" (and I stand by the term) owner seems to care for his animal when it seems convenient for him. Neighbor, it sounds like your animals are well taken care of and you are a responsible pet owner. I guess I just wish everyone else was. And that doesn't include manicures and pet coats. Humane treatment, food, water and shelter is all I'm lookin' out for.
December 22, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
is it numbscull or numbskull? or even numbsull? I'm getting cornfused if yer talkin about more than one guy! lol
December 22, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )