Important Winter Health and Safety Tips

Recent winter storms across the nation have resulted in traffic accidents, power outages and increased health risks that come along with the low temperatures. While you're waiting in vain for spring to come along, here are some winter safety tips to keep in mind to minimize the risk to your health and personal safety.

Winter Health and Safety Tip #1: Prepare your car for winter.

Many of the tasks that come along with preparing your car for winter weather are common sense. When it comes to car maintenance, have your radiator system serviced or at least be sure to check your antifreeze and add whatever's needed. Make sure your level of windshield wiper fluid is full, and check the air pressure in your tires. In addition, also keep the gas tank as near full as possible to minimize the risk of ice in your tank or fuel lines. However, a winter health and safety tip that's often overlooked is preparing a winter survival kit for your car. With the possibility of a winter storm always around the corner, you want to be prepared in case traffic accidents delay your commute home, or worse-you can't drive home at all. Many of these items should be kept in your car year-round, but they have added importance during the winter months. A winter survival kit should include the following: blankets, first aid kit, a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for water), windshield scraper, booster cable, road maps, mobile phone, compass, tool kit, paper towels, bag of sand (for added traction in the snow), flashlight and batteries, a non-electric can opener and cans of food, and an emergency tire repair sealant. Keeping these supplies in your car during the winter months can help you stay safe in case of an emergency.

Winter Health and Safety Tip #2: Recognize cold-weather health emergencies.

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold, so if you work outside, this winter health and safety tip is especially important. The two most common health ailments related to cold weather are hypothermia and frostbite. Recognizing their symptoms and knowing how to treat them will go a long way. Hypothermia is a very low body temperature and is common in elderly people with inadequate food and clothing supplies, babies sleeping in cold bedrooms, drug and alcohol users, and those who spend a lot of time outside, like the homeless or maintenance workers. Warning signs of hypothermia include bright red, cold skin, very low energy, shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, get them into a warm room and remove any wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first using an electric blanket or skin-to-skin contact under blankets. Once body temperature increases, keep the person dry and warm and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing, which can cause a loss of feeling or color in the afflicted body part. Frostbite symptoms include a white or grayish-yellow skin color, numbness, and skin that feels unusually firm or waxy. If you suspect someone has frostbite, put the afflicted body part in warm water or warm it using body heat. Again, seek professional medical attention as soon as possible. Knowing the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite is especially important because victims often do not notice it themselves.

Winter Health and Safety Tip #3: Be careful when removing snow and ice from your walkways and driveways.

Removing snow and ice from sidewalks after a winter storm is important to protect against injury from falls. To do so safely, wear sturdy, rubber-soled boots to help limit the chance of falling. You also want to make sure you are properly dressed: wear layers of clothing, and don't forget a hat and gloves to help reduce the loss of body heat due to wind and low temperatures. Use your legs for support rather than your back to help prevent against injury.

The winter weather months are never enjoyable, but keeping these winter health and safety tips in mind will help protect against cold weather-related injuries and emergencies. Always be sure to check the weather forecast regularly to stay aware of any winter storms that are approaching your way.