Goal for the Day: Winter Weather Safety

Much of the United States is gripped in the icy fist of a rather nasty bout of winter weather. Even here in Texas, we’ve got ice and snow. Of course, with that thing coming up this weekend here in Dallas—what’s it called? The Superbowl?—everyone’s freaking out because we feel like bad hosts, allowing it to snow on our guests. Of course, if anyone even pours a bottle of water on the road in Dallas, people spin their cars out of control and sail off bridges. So, you can imagine how badly drivers behave on actual ice.


All the more reason to consider your personal safety when going out. If you’re experiencing icy weather, think of safety first. How necessary is it for you to go out? Some employers won’t close an office even if there’s twenty inches of snow on the ground. You might be asked to take a vacation day, if you can’t make it to the office. But, that’s worth it, I would say. Before going out in bad weather, truly consider just how important your trip is. Honestly, there aren’t many things that are more important than staying safe. So, use your judgment and always make sure to err on the side of caution.

Another thing to consider in bad weather conditions is the safety of your pets. If you have a pet who needs to go outside to do what animals do, make sure that you keep an eye on him or her. Dogs and cats can slip on the ice just as easily as humans. They rely on you to think for them, so make sure they’ve got a relatively comfortable exit. Similarly, strays (or those animals whose people don’t keep such a watchful eye on them) may be stuck out in the elements. Presently, there are three stray cats nesting on the bench on my front porch (much to Bertie’s chagrin). Normally, I don’t run a bed and breakfast for stray cats, but given the wretched weather, I’m making sure they’ve got food (though I don’t really know what cats eat) and water. It’s our responsibility to make sure that all creatures are protected—both human and otherwise.