How to survive snow and bitter cold that’s reached all the way to the Gulf Coast

ATLANTA– Protecting homes, cars, people and pets from snow, ice and… bitterly cold temperatures It’s just not something many people in the Deep South are used to.

But northerners build certain tips into their daily lives, from wearing layers to trying not to panic if your car starts sliding.

For example, when approaching a stop, “brake a lot earlier than you normally would, and just start easing into that stop in case a skid happens – because it probably will on ice,” says Brock Carlson, owner from Let’s Get Rolling Driving School in northern Minnesota.

He and other experts have some common-sense steps everyone can take to protect themselves from this week’s extreme winter weather. The winter storm has brought unusually cold temperatures and rare snow that blanketed the sights of New Orleans and even the beaches along the Alabama and Mississippi coastlines.

Here’s what you need to know to survive the cold, snow and ice:

Dress in layers of clothing that protect all exposed skin, the National Weather Service recommends in its cold weather safety guides.

Also:

– Eat hot foods and drink hot drinks, but avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can make you dehydrated.

– Know the warning signs of hypothermia: confusion, chills, difficulty speaking, drowsiness and stiff muscles.

– Check relatives, friends and neighbors.

Our furry friends need to come first in extremely cold weather, experts say, because they can face health problems just like humans.

People should never leave their pets outside in the cold for extended periods of time, and if they do go outside, make sure they can get back inside as soon as possible, says Peter Rogers, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls, South. Dakota.

According to the American Kennel Club, newborn puppies, small dogs, older dogs and breeds with short hair are especially vulnerable to hypothermia. Warning signs of hypothermia in dogs include rapid breathing followed by slower and shallower breaths; sluggishness and delayed reflexes. Curling up for warmth or shivering are some of the first signs their owners may notice.

Also make sure your pet is dry before taking him outside. Wetness or dampness in their coat will put them at greater risk, the organization warns.

Open cabinets in bathrooms and kitchens so warm air can reach the pipes, the weather service recommends.

The agency also recommends insulating exposed pipes when possible, disconnecting external hoses and turning off the water supply to sprinklers.

Installing and testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors is also recommended.

One of the most important things that Minnesota driving school owner Carlson always tells his students is, “If you have to drive, don’t. If you can stay home, just do so.”

But for those who must be on the road, take it easy and give cars in front of you plenty of extra distance, he said. It may be a good idea to double the distance for when you start to break. And if you start driving after you stop, “give it a little gas,” he said. “Just relax a little bit in that gear.”

If you get stuck, use a technique similar to the motion of a rocking chair.

“You want to do a rocking motion,” Carlson said. “Give it a little gas and move forward,” he said. “Just keep doing that back and forth until you get out of the rut you’re stuck in.”

Another piece of advice from Carlson: Don’t be overconfident.

“If you have four-wheel drive, don’t think you’re invincible,” says Carlson, whose school in Moorhead is just across the state line from famously snowy Fargo, North Dakota. “We have that problem here: people with four-wheel drive think they can do whatever they want.”

The American Automobile Association recommends that drivers have an emergency kit in their vehicle that includes items such as cell phone chargers, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, drinking water and food, an ice scraper and shovel, blankets, hats, gloves, extra jackets and sweatshirt.

It is also recommended by AAA to have items to get traction in case you get stuck. This includes non-clumping cat litter, sand, salt or traction mats.

According to AAA:

— Stay with your vehicle.

— Try not to walk into a blinding storm, as you can easily lose sight of your vehicle and other motorists may not see you.

— Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or to the top of a rolled-up window.

— Make sure your car’s exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. If it does, it can lead to a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide gas when the engine is running.