CITY OFFERS COLD WEATHER TIPS FOR PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

The last few days have been dangerously cold and the extended forecast reveals more cold days for Detroit. The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion provides the following tips to help individuals protect themselves and their animals in extreme cold weather.

For People:
� Be sure to layer your clothing. This way you can better regulate the amount of insulation.
� Wear mittens instead of fingered gloves. This will allow the fingers to help keep each other warm.
� Wear a scarf to reduce heat loss around the neck. Leave as little skin exposed as possible.
� Keep your head and ears covered.
� A little Vaseline on the skin helps as a wind barrier.
� Keep a winter survival kit in your car, include blankets, towels, water, and a first aid kit.

For Pets:
� Be sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. Pets, like people, lose moisture through breathing, and the effects of cold temperatures are magnified by dehydration.
� Never let your dog run around off his leash on snow or ice. Dogs can lose their scent in snow/ice and get lost.
� Wipe off your dog�s paws, legs, and stomach when he comes in from the snow or ice. Salt might make your dog sick when he licks his paws.
� For short-haired pooches, consider purchasing a doggie coat or sweater.
� Never leave animals alone in a car in cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator and your animal could freeze.
� Make sure your animals have a warm place to sleep away from places where cold air might get in.
� Keep your kittens indoors. Outside, cats can freeze or get lost.

For more tips to protect your health in extremely cold weather, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/outdoorsafety.asp