No Matter How Cold It Is in Oklahoma, Don’t Make These Mistakes

There's nothing more heartbreaking than to see a stray animals or homeless suffer in the cold the way Oklahomans will be in the next few days. If you're one of the kind souls who want to help by preparing a makeshift shelter for someone or something in need of warmth, then make sure not to make these detrimental mistakes.

Common Makeshift Animal Shelter Mistakes Made With Good Intentions

When you're making a warm shelter for animals, it's important not to use products that absorb moisture or provide little protection from the ground or precipitation. Staying warm in cold temperatures is largely affected by someone's ability to stay dry and protected from the elements.

While some folks would like to add a luxury touch to their warm emergency shelter and include some sort of electricity or heated lamp, these pose major risks for starting fires. When choosing a good product to insulate the shelter, it's important to consider how flammable it is. Straw is commonly thought of for insulation, but it is highly flammable and should not be used with a nearby heat source.

Instead, Use Items That Are Not Flammable & No Electric Heat Sources

Instead, folks can use pine shavings, hay, or reflective blankets to reflect heat in a wind-blocked shelter. Please keep in mind that these objects can also be flammable and should not be used with a heating lamp or other heat sources.

For animals, it's important for them to have access to food and water. In many occasions, they can stay warmer if they have food and water to process internally.

For those without a home, it's important to find shelter if possible in one of Oklahoma's shelters and community centers, if they are open to having visitors. For more information click here.

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