Oklahoma Weather Swings and Winter Safety Tips

It's been a crazy couple of weeks weather-wise in Oklahoma. We've gone from very warm to bitterly cold, and back again every few days. While you could check the forecast, more of the same is probably in store for us all. That's just Oklahoma weather.

Because of this, the things that make up our lives become somewhat unpredictable. The house, the heating, even our cars. So while we'll check off the list of winter musts down below, here are some quick hits on how you should be living through these cold dips.

Oklahoma Weather Swings So Fast

Make sure you keep at least a half-tank of gas or more in your vehicle when it's cold. They say it has something to do with condensation, and while gas tanks aren't made out of steel anymore, water is never a good thing to have in your fuel. Also, gasoline is a coolant for your fuel pump, even when it's cold.

Also, it's worth mentioning, bring your pets indoors where it's warm. As the old saying goes, "If you're cold, they are too." I hate to see pets stuck outside when it's really cold, that's just cruel... Then again, my neighbor has two big huskies that really thrive in the plunging temps.

If you haven't yet, unhook your hoses from the outside water spigots to avoid bursting pipes, and perhaps put one of those cheapy Styrofoam covers on them. If your home isn't very well insulated, believe me, you'll know if it is based on the chill. You might want to open your cabinet doors in bathrooms and kitchens to get some heat as close to the pipes as possible. If you have a really high heating bill, you might leave a small trickle of water running too.

Protecting Your Home From Cold Damage

One of the biggest safety issues with cold weather is space heaters. Be very, very careful with those, and make sure you turn them off when not in use. While not as common as it used to be, they do occasionally spark fires.

Stay safe and warm, preferably indoors, over the next couple of days until things warm up some and improve.

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