People In Action - Don Pohlig

Since 1975 Pohlig Builders has been serving the Main Line community as one of the leading custom home builders in the nation by successfully adapting their products to the needs of today’s clients and their dynamic lifestyles. Yet, who are the visionary masterminds behind this innovative firm? Meet Don Pohlig, co-owner of Pohlig Builders and business pioneer since high school when he first entered into the building business. A self-starter, Don was managing his own framing business of 20+ employees by the age of 21. Today Don helps lead this award-winning firm along side brother Todd, as he directly oversees day-to-day business operations, product design, sales, contract estimates, construction, and warranty. 

Don Pohlig, Principal of Pohlig Builders

A man who many friends and family members might describe as your modern-day renaissance man, Don practices many hobbies outside of work which demonstrate his unique blend of creative and competitive capabilities. Don takes on many roles from becoming a competing sailor at a very young age, to a car enthusiast by his twenty’s. Nowadays, you can find Pohlig at home water and oil color painting – an activity Don considers to be his “winter sport” and in his spare time in the summer he spends it on the golf course.

Tips for Handling Extreme Cold Weather

As the temperatures dip during this time of year, it is crucial to be prepared for an extreme cold weather emergency for both our homes and our bodies.  A major risk as temperatures drop is that of a house fire.  As our home heating unit may not be adequate to handle the heat or do not work entirely due to a power outage, we try to compensate with other means of heating our homes, putting us at a higher risk.

Preparing Your Home

Here are some tips on preparing your home for extreme cold:
•    Have your furnace, chimney and flue inspected by a professional each year to make sure that they are in working order and there are no cracks or defects that have developed that could put your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
•    Use only indoor approved supplemental heating devices.  Using propane burners or other devices meant for outdoor use can put you at risk of either fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
•    Using your stove or oven to heat your home is not recommended.
•    If using a fireplace, kerosene heater, or wood stove to supplement the heat in your home, make sure you have smoke detectors installed and check the batteries at least once a month.  Never use coal or paper to fuel a fireplace.  Make sure to use a screen large enough to catch all sparks.
•    Make sure all heating devices are well ventilated.
•    Portable heaters should be kept well away from any flammable materials.
•    Never leave portable heaters unattended.
•    Use only the recommended fuel for your portable heater.
•    If using an electric portable heater, plug it directly into the wall and avoid using an extension cord.  Make sure the cord is not a trip hazard as it may be unexpected if in a well traveled area.
•    Never place a portable heater on top of a piece of furniture.
•    Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls.  These can freeze in extremely cold weather.
•    Use battery powered lights instead of candles in a power outage if possible.
•    In a power outage, avoid using a generator indoors.
•    Keep plenty of extra water on hand in the event of a pipe line freeze.
•    If your pipes do freeze, use a hair dryer or electrical tape to thaw them.  Avoid using propane torches to thaw a frozen pipe.
•    Close off unneeded rooms to conserve heat energy and stuff towels or rags under the doors to seal the room off. 
•    Make sure all members of the household know what to do in the event of a fire.
•    Keep emergency supplies on hand such as:
     o    Extra batteries
     o    A battery powered radio
     o    Blankets
     o    Any necessary medicines
     o    First-aid kit
     o    Dry or canned food that does not need to be cooked or refrigerated
     o    Extra bottled water
     o    A non-electric can opener
     o    A multipurpose fire extinguisher
     o    Extra fuel for your heating devices

Preparing Yourself

In extreme cold conditions, our bodies are prone to damage and eventually, death if exposed long enough.  Elderly and infants are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures.  The older we get, the harder it is for us to feel drops in temperatures and we may be at risk for exposure.  Infants cannot increase their own body temperatures by shivering.  This is only something that adults can do.

Preparing for extreme cold is the best thing to do:

•    Dress warmly, this includes:
     o    Several layers of loose clothing
     o    Water resistant outer wear
     o    A hat
     o    A scarf or something to cover the face
     o    Mittens instead of gloves if possible
•    Drink warm, non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to stay warm.  Caffeine and alcohol cause your body to lose heat faster.  Warm, sweet drinks help maintain the body’s temperature.
•    Avoid going outside, especially if it is windy.  This can lower your body temperature quickly.
•    Keep dry.  If your clothing gets wet, change to dry clothing immediately.
•    If you start to shiver, find a way to get warm immediately.
•    Observe the weather for wind chill factors.  Know what the “feels like” temperature is before going outdoors.
•    Hypothermia is when your body loses heat faster than it is produced.  Be able to recognize the symptoms:
     o    Shivering
     o    Exhaustion
     o    Sleepiness
     o    Confusion
     o    Slurred speech
     o    Memory loss 
•    Know that hypothermia can occur at temperatures above 40 degrees if exposed long enough.
•    Monitor your temperature if you suspect hypothermia.  If your temperature is below 95 degrees, seek emergency help immediately.
•    If your exposed skin turns a white or grayish-yellow color, frostbite may be setting in.  Another symptom is if your skin is extra firm.  Hypothermia is a more serious condition than frostbite and should be treated first.  However, when frost bite is suspected without hypothermia:
     o    Get warm as soon as possible
     o    Don’t walk on frostbitten feet
     o    Do not massage the affected area, envelope the area with  warm skin with out moving.  i.e. putting frostbitten fingers under the armpit
     o    Immerse the damaged area in warm water. Do not use an external heat source such as a stove, heater, etc. to warm the skin.