MSPCC and MSPCA Warn Parents and Pet Owners of Winter Hazards

Governor Declares Winter Safety Awareness Week - January 5-11

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MSPCC and MSPCA
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B0STON, Jan. 9, 1997 -- Two of Massachusetts' leading protection organizations: the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) are urging parents and pet owners to guard against serious safety hazards facing children and animals this winter.

As part of their Partners for Protection program, a collaboration initiated last spring, the MSPCC and MSPCA are launching the second in a series of public awareness campaigns aimed at protecting children and pets. The campaign's current goal is to increase awareness of winter-related hazards such as falling through thin ice, ingesting antifreeze, and leaving pets and children unattended in parked cars.

"We have a responsibility to protect children and pets. If we can prevent even one tragedy from happening, then our campaign will have been successful," says MSPCA President Dr. Gus Thornton.

"Every winter we see children and pets that have become victims of winter hazards. If we can get this message to all members of our communities we can avoid the unnecessary heartbreak felt by children, parents and pet owners," adds Joyce Strom, MSPCC's Executive Director.

Antifreeze poisoning is one of the winter hazards targeted by the campaign. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 339 cases of antifreeze poisoning of children were reported last year. The MSPCA's Angell Memorial Animal Hospital treats cases of antifreeze poisoning in cats and dogs each year. Dr. Thornton recommends cleaning up spills immediately, keeping bottles out of reach and keeping pets from drinking out of the toilet bowl if antifreeze has been added to prevent freezing.

The MSPCC and MSPCA have designed a public service ad highlighting these winter hazards for distribution to all Massachusetts newspapers. For more information on the Partners for Protection program, call MSPCC at 617-227-2280 or MSPCA at 617-522-7400.

The MSPCC and MSPCA also offer the following suggestions to help keep pets and children safe this winter:

For children and pets:

• Supervision is the key to a safe winter. Supervise children and pets during all outdoor activities:
  • Teach children to skate only in places you know are safe and to call for help if they see a pet or person fall through the ice. (The town hall may be a good source for information for safe skating areas)

  • Teach children to skate or sled with friends -- never alone and always in safe areas, away from traffic and free of obstacles.

  • Leash and supervise pets when outside to prevent them from straying onto thin ice or into busy sledding areas.

• Keep children and pets warm this winter. Pets and children can get frostbite:
  • During extreme cold, limit time spent outdoors. Never leave kids or pets unattended in a car -- a parked car's temperature can plummet in a very short time period.

  • Dress children in warm, brightly-colored layers. Mittens and hats that cover ears will help keep them warm.

  • Babies need extra care. Feed babies before going out. Dress your baby warmly with coat, hat, mittens, socks, scarf and an extra blanket. Change wet clothes as quickly as possible.

  • Shorthaired dogs such as greyhounds, chihuahuas and clipped poodles can be kept warm by dressing them in dog sweaters or other protective clothing.

  • If pets have outdoor shelters, they should be dry, secure from wind and just big enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and lie down. The floor should have dry bedding and be elevated from the ground.

CONTACT: Barbara Smith, 617-541-5066 or Melissa Bassett, 617-541-5068, both of MSPCA Public Affairs, or Robin Jones of MSPCC Public Relations, 617-557-8370