Health And Safety Tips To Deal With The Winter Chill

As the thermometer continues to drop in Wisconsin, people need to be prepared for the blustery conditions. Below are some health and safety tips to deal with the winter chill.

• Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of –20° Fahrenheit (F) could cause frostbite in just 15 minutes or less. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear tips or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected—Seek medical care Immediately!
• Hypothermia is a condition that develops when the body temperature drops below 95°F. It is very deadly. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness. Seek medical care Immediately!
• Overexertion is dangerous. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make an existing medical condition worse.

Public Hearing Set for Fee Change for Facilities Reporting Hazardous Chemicals & Extremely Hazardous Substances - CANCELLED

(MADISON) A public hearing scheduled for Friday, December 19 in Wausau regarding input on an emergency rule designed to increase fees facilities and businesses pay to store hazardous chemicals has been CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

Comments are being accepted on proposed changes to Wisconsin Administrative Code WEM 1. Written comments must be received by December 18, 2008 and may be submitted to:

Sharon Billings
PO Box 7865
Madison, WI 53707-7865
FAX: 608-242-3249
E-mail: sharon.edwardsbillings@wisconsin.gov.

The fees are collected by Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and are used by local and state emergency management agencies to carry out state and federal law with regard to planning and response to accidental or intentional chemical releases.

The emergency rule went into effect on December 1, 2008. The emergency rule adjusts fees submitted to the state under the EPCRA Program by facilities that store hazardous chemicals and are required by law to annually submit Tier II and Inventory Fees. The fee adjustment also affects those facilities that are required to submit a one-time emergency planning notification fee.

The emergency rule adjusts the fees by 18% for the reporting year 2009 only, to ensure that the program will be funded at present levels. The emergency rule will be temporary.

The public hearings will also gather testimony on a proposed permanent rule which will adjust the same fees by 35% annually. The total increase would be 35%.

The 1986 EPCRA law requires statewide chemical planning, exercising, training and response activities. The fees were last adjusted in 1990.

'Tis the Freezin' Season -- Give Extra Care to Pets and Livestocks

Contact: Donna Gilson
608-224-5130

MADISON -- A frigid forecast and news of a dog left overnight frozen to a sidewalk in Sheboygan are prompting Wisconsin's state humane officer to remind people that animals need extra care in winter.

"The holiday rush, especially when people may have financial worries this year, unfortunately might mean providing extra care for pets and livestock is the last thing on their minds," says Dr. Yvonne Bellay of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. People are occupied, too, by all the other things that can go wrong frigid weather, like frozen water lines and cars that won't start -- and that can distract them from the risks that animals face in extreme cold weather poses.

Bellay says, "Animals can suffer from hypothermia, frostbite and other cold weather injuries, and harsh conditions can weaken their immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to illness. You need to think about extra nutrition, access to water, plenty of good bedding, and proper shelter for both pets and livestock."

She offers these tips for pet owners:

Food Outdoor pets need more food, of good quality, in cold weather to produce body heat.

Shelter Outdoor animals need a dry shelter that's large enough for them to stand, sit, turn around and lie down comfortably, but not so large that its normal body heat is lost. Line the bottom with dry, nonabsorbent material that won't get wet, matted, and frozen. Marsh hay works well; leaves and fabric do not.

Water Don't make your outdoor pets rely on ice or snow for water, because the animal has to expend too much body heat melting them. Use an inexpensive heater that sits right in the water bowl to prevent freezing. If you can't do that, fill the bowl with fresh, tepid water at least twice a day.

Walking Keep your dog leashed. Snow and ice can make it difficult for dogs to follow a scent, so they may lose their way and be wandering in bitter cold. Protect their paws from sharp ice and salt, either with booties or by cleaning their paws thoroughly when they come inside. Short-haired dogs need sweaters outdoors in extreme cold weather.

Grooming Wet, dirty, matted coats cannot insulate against the cold, so be sure your animals are well-groomed, but not shaved. After bathing an animal, dry it thoroughly before letting it outdoors.

Cars Bang on the hood before starting the car on cold days to startle any sleeping animals that may have sought shelter there. And remember, don't leave your pet alone in a vehicle. It may freeze to death.

Sleeping Even indoor animals needs a warm place to sleep, off the floor and out of drafts, especially old or ill animals.

For livestock owners, Bellay advises:

Shelter Generally, a 20-mph wind is about equal to a 30-degree drop in temperature. Make sure animals have a place to get out of the wind, even if it is just a windbreak or a three-sided shelter, and that other buildings don't deflect wind and snow into the shelter.

Food Livestock kept outdoors will need more food than usual -- and good quality food. As a general rule, nutrient requirements increase about 1 percent for every degree that the temperature falls below 20 degrees F. Horses' nutrition requirements increase below 45 degrees F.

Water Provide access to fresh water -- not frozen streams or snow -- daily. Stock tank heaters and frost-proof waterers will ensure than livestock get enough to drink.

Bedding Keep plenty of dry bedding to insulate udders and legs from frostbite.

Moisture Long hair or fleece insulates only when it is dry. Wet or muddy hair or fleece loses insulating ability and actually cools the animal as it dries.

Transportation When hauling animals, especially calves and swine, cover openings in the vehicle box to cut wind chill and keep rain out, but allow some air to pass over the animals for ventilation. Provide a deep bed of dry straw for calves younger than 4 weeks or for any swine. Be especially careful with animals recently brought in from warmer climates that may not be acclimated.