Winter is coming, Iowa. Here are tips for preparing for the cold weather.

Francesca Block, Des Moines Register
·6 min read
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When cool breezes start to turn to frigid gusts, it's important to bundle up and be prepared. In addition to digging out your puffy coat or going out and getting a new, cozy scarf, there is more to do to keep you and your belongings safe during periods of frigid temperatures.

Experts have offered their recommendations on how Iowans can best protect their pets, their plants, their pipes, their cars and themselves for cooler temperatures on the horizon.

Provide for your pets

It's important to consider how chilly temperatures can impact the health of each member of the family, including pets.

Joe Stafford, director of animal control service for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, said pet owners should consider their animal's size, breed and age when deciding how long to let their pets outside.

"A malamute wants the cooler temperatures where a short-hair, single-coated, smaller breed, like a Chihuahua, could have a bigger risk and threat in these temperatures," he said.

For those who prefer to keep their furry friends outdoors, Stafford recommended pet owners provide adequate housing to protect them from harsh weather conditions. Organizations such as the ARL may be able to provide some outdoor shelters for those who cannot afford them, Stafford said.

Those with questions or concerns about their animal's well-being or winter readiness can contact the ARL or the Des Moines Police Department's non-emergency number at 515-283-4811, Stafford said.

More:Farmers' Almanac declares North Central region a 'hibernation zone' this winter

Take your plants inside

If temperatures are dropping near or below freezing, it might be time to bring your plants inside.

While some vegetation fares OK in the cold, Kimberly James, a production horticulturist with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, said many plants, including any foliage and house plants, do not like temperatures below 50 degrees.

If some plants do not fit indoors, James recommends keeping them safe in a garage, where temperatures are likely to be a few degrees warmer than outside. Otherwise, gardeners should cover their plants, making sure the sheet or other material used does not come into contact with the plant's leaves.

To prepare trees, shrubs and perennials to endure the cold, James recommends making sure they are well-watered before temperatures drop below freezing levels. Mulch can also help to keep the plants in good shape, she said.

Prevent your pipes from freezing

Pipe-freezing is an annual battle for Midwesterners this time of year. The concern grows as temperatures shrink for an extended period of time, said Kelly Laurie, a customer service employee and dispatcher at Holt Plumbing and Heating in West Des Moines.

Here are a few tips to prevent the mess — and cost — of frozen pipes:

  • Leave a faucet slowly dripping to keep water flowing through the pipe. The water can be captured in a bucket and used for other purposes around the home, like watering plants and washing dishes.

  • Open under-sink cabinets to allow warm air to circulate near your pipes.

  • What if there’s no water coming out of your faucets? Check your water meter. If water is leaking or spraying from your meter or the bottom is cracked, your water meter is frozen. Feel for frozen pipes. Pipes located along exterior walls are most susceptible to freezing. To thaw pipes, contact a licensed plumber or use hot towels or a hair dryer. Never use an open flame.

Make sure your car starts

Colder weather can often cause inconvenient and costly damage to your car. To avoid dead batteries and other problems with your vehicle, take the following precautions:

  • Parking in a garage, whether heated or not, will keep your car warmer than parking it outside. Even a carport keeps a car several degrees warmer than one parked outside with no protection.

  • Electric engine warming blankets can be easily fitted on top of your engine or on the inside of your car hood to keep your engine warm overnight, according to Lifewire.com. Other heaters include block heaters that bolt electrical elements to the exterior of the engine, oil heaters that take the place of a dipstick and coolant heaters to keep the antifreeze from, well, freezing.

  • Keep jumper cables in your trunk.

  • Batteries hate cold weather and produce less current, i.e. power, when temperatures plummet. If your car battery is more than three years old, have it checked out by a repair shop or auto-parts store to make sure it still holds a charge.

Keep your car on the road

If you have to drive on slick roads during an Iowa winter, here are tips on how to travel safely, courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation:

  • Check the weather forecast and road conditions before driving.

  • Maintain a reasonable speed and safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances and reduced visibility.

  • Drive below the posted speed limit when road conditions are less than ideal.

  • Turn on lights to see and be seen.

  • Keep head lights and tail lights clear of snow.

  • Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions.

  • You need to be in control of your car when accelerating based on road conditions. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, understand how to use them and what to expect when they are used.

  • Be aware that ramps and bridges may freeze before other roadway segments.

Winter driving tips: How to keep safe while driving on slick Iowa roads

Protect yourself from frostbite

To protect yourself against cold temperatures, the National Weather Service suggests wearing layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing with tightly woven and water repellant outer garments. Make sure to trap in body heat with a hat and cover your mouth to protect your lungs from the bitter cold, NWS added.

To prevent frostbite, the Mayo Clinic recommends people do the following:

  • Limit the time you're outdoors in cold, wet or windy weather.

  • Dress in several layers of loose, warm clothing. Air trapped between the layers of clothing acts as insulation against the cold. Wear windproof and waterproof outer garments to protect against wind, snow and rain. Choose undergarments that wick moisture away from your skin. Change out of wet clothing, particularly gloves, hats and socks.

  • Early signs of frostbite include red or pale skin, prickling, and numbness. Seek warm shelter immediately if you notice any of those indicators.

  • When traveling in cold weather, carry emergency supplies and warm clothing in case you become stranded.

  • Don't drink alcohol if you plan to be outdoors in cold weather. Alcoholic beverages cause your body to lose heat faster.

  • Eat well-balanced meals, and stay hydrated. Doing this even before you go out in the cold will help you stay warm.

  • Keep moving. Exercise can get the blood flowing and help you stay warm. But don't do it to the point of exhaustion.

More:10 great spots for sledding in the Des Moines area

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Expert tips for protecting yourself and your belongings in the cold