ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – As a winter storm heads into New Mexico, here’s how to prepare and stay safe on the road, at home, and with your pets.
Driving Safety
- Vehicle inspection: Keep your gas tank filled to avoid fuel line freeze, and check tire pressure and tread regularly—tire pressure drops with cold air.
- Headlights & visibility: Clear snow/ice from headlights, windows, and mirrors. Use winter-rated washer fluid and ensure wipers are in good shape.
- Emergency kit: Carry blankets, extra warm clothes, first aid kit, flashlight, shovel, kitty litter or sand, high-energy snacks, water, jumper cables, and a power bank or phone charger.
- Drive slow with more space: Slow down—following distances should be 5–6 seconds, even up to 10x longer when ice or snow present.
- Skid control: If sliding, gently turn into the skid, avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and engage ABS if available.
- Avoiding plows: Don’t crowd snowplows; stay about 5 car lengths behind for visibility and safety.
Home Preparation
- Insulation: Weather-strip doors and windows, insulate attic and walls, use pipe sleeves or heat tape on pipes running through cold areas.
- Prevent frozen pipes: Let faucets drip during extreme cold, keep cabinets open, and seal drafts near pipes.
- Heating safety: Service furnaces, chimneys, and heating vents annually. Maintain 3 feet clearance around space heaters and wood stoves. Use only proper fuel and ventilate gas heaters; use carbon monoxide detectors.
- Power outage prep: Keep fridges and freezers closed; a full freezer lasts ~48 hours. Have non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, and a battery-powered/NOAA radio ready.
- Generator & appliance usage: Use generators 20+ feet from windows outdoors. Never use ovens or gas stoves for heating. Disconnect electronics to avoid power surge damage.
- Emergency kit essentials: Store at least 3 days’ worth of food and water per person, include pet supplies, medications, backup power banks, and printed contact numbers.
Pet Safety Tips
- Bring pets indoors: If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Provide warm, draft-free shelter or insulated outdoor shelters with straw bedding.
- Protect paws: Rinse or wipe paws after walks to remove salt and chemicals. Apply petroleum jelly or use booties. Choose pet-safe ice melts.
- Hydration & nutrition: Check water bowls frequently to prevent freezing, and consider heated bowls. Offer extra food since pets burn more energy to stay warm.
- Monitor for cold-related issues: Watch for frostbite and hypothermia signs—pale skin, weakness, shivering. If suspected, bring pets inside, warm carefully, and consult a vet.
- Alert before starting cars: Knock on your hood before starting engines to scare away cats or wildlife seeking warmth.
- Be prepared for outages: Store 5 days of pet food, water, medications, and emergency blankets in case of power loss.
Quick Action Checklist
| Category | Must-Do Items |
|---|---|
| Driving | Full tank, winter tires, emergency kit, drive slowly and maintain distance |
| Home | Insulate pipes, prevent drafts, check heating systems, assemble emergency kit |
| Pets | Indoor shelter, paw protection, hydration, monitor cold health, concealing kits |
| Power Outages | Backup food, water, light, radio, generator safely, disconnect appliances |
Taking these steps now will help ensure your safety and peace of mind as the winter storm arrives. Stay alert to alerts, and remember—being prepared is the best defense.
