Weather forecasters are predicting a nasty little winter storm headed our way this weekend, with the temperatures and the “wintry mix” starting to drop on Friday. And the fact that Ted Cruz boarded a plane and headed for the warmer weather of Laguna Beach earlier this week is a sure sign the forecasts are accurate.
(I mean, Ol’ Ted is kinda like Texas’ version of the groundhog, only instead of him seeing his shadow meaning more winter, him headed to a beach somewhere means a bad winter storm. Anybody got reservations in Cancun this weekend?)
According to WFAA Channel 8 Meteorologist Greg Fields, Thursday (Jan. 22) should see a comfy high of about 58 degrees, getting down to 41 degrees overnight. Then shit starts getting real on Friday (Jan. 23), when the high will only be about 49 degrees, dropping to a very frosty 23 degrees overnight. Beyond that, temps will likely stay in the 20s and teens through the weekend, not getting back above freezing until sometime Monday (Jan. 26), and even then the high will only make it to about 34 degrees.
And overnight temps look to be down in the 20s for most of next week.
And with all that being said, Kat Ruiz, emergency healthcare systems director for the Capital Area of Texas Regional Advisory Council today was offering Texans some advice on keeping safe from dangers other than the cold.
“Winter weather is here; prepare safely,” Ruiz said in a press release today (Wednesday, Jan. 21). “Cold temperatures and power outages can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly and can happen within minutes.”
Carbon monoxide is a “highly toxic gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless,” according to a safety flyer CATRAC distributed (see it below). “Cold weather increases the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.”
She explains that when the power goes out, many folks turn to generators and portable heaters to ward off the deadly cold, and homes are often sealed even more tightly to keep heat in and cold out. In addition, she noted, alternative heating sources are sometimes used incorrectly, and snow and ice can block vents and chimneys.
All those things mean CO — that’s carbon monoxide — can build up in your home without you even realizing that.
“If a CO alarm sounds,” Ruiz said, “or if you feel dizzy, nauseous or confused, get outside and call 911 immediately.
“Stay warm. Stay safe.”
Symptoms of mild exposure include a minor headache, flu-like symptoms and nausea. Medium exposure leads to a major headache, vomiting and confusion. Severe exposure can cause unconsciousness, convulsions and death.
And, CATRAC warns, “Poisoning occurs in minutes!”
To help keep your home and family safe, remember these tips:
• Generators should ALWAYS be used outdoors
• INSTALL & TEST CO alarms
• Never use a GAS stove or oven for heating
• Camp stove/grill should only be used OUTSIDE.
Be smart. Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay alive.
— Tammye Nash
