Don't OVERUSE heat packs in the winter!

[Robyn@SYR]

DON'T OVERUSE HEAT PACKS! Overuse of heat packs in shipping cause DOAs!

Winter shipping often requires heat packs. But we recommend using ONLY ONE heat pack unless you are doing a very large box (like our kit #5 at 30x16x10).

We have seen a few recent shipment where folks have put multiple heat packs in box, using the "if one is good, two is better!" philosophy. This has resulted in the loss of the animals.

In a small or medium sized box, multiple heat packs will exponentially increase the ambient temp of the box into very dangerous territory. Check out the chart below for the temps that a single heat pack puts out. More is absolutely not better, just much much hotter. Hand warmers in particular peak at 180F!

The purpose of a heat pack is NOT to warm or heat the box, it is to prevent it from getting cold. You want a temperate box, NOT a hot box!

If it is "too cold outside" to ship, consider doubling up insulation, or waiting for warmer weather, but do NOT use extra heat packs, that does not result in a safer trip!

[JLC]

Thanks for the critical reminders, Robyn!!

[ViperSRT3g]

From that graph, it looks as though the 72 hour pack is the most stable in terms of temperature. It doesn't get exceedingly hot, and it lasts the longest.