HAVING A SAFE AND HEALTHY WINTER

With the winter season upon us, The Pomperaug Health District would like to remind residents of some basic winter safety tips.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia, the lowering of the body’s core temperature, is one of the dangers associated with very cold weather. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95°F. Some signs of hypothermia are blueness or puffiness of the skin, drowsiness, poor coordination, slurred speech, irritability, mental confusion, a deep feeling of cold or numbness and intense shivering. A tell-tale sign of hypothermia is a cold abdomen. Hypothermia can lead to a coma and death.

Prevention

Hypothermia can easily prevented. Dressing properly is the key. The Pomperaug Health District recommends the following:

• Wear loose clothes in layers. Layers help trap the air to keep you warm. Also, layers can be easily removed to prevent perspiration and chill.
• Dry hair immediately after a bath or shower.
• When hands or feet are cold, add more clothes and remove layers as needed. Wear extra sock and warm slippers to keep feet warm.
• Consider wearing a nightcap to bed. Sleep with extra blankets and long underwear and socks for extra warmth.

· Be sure to wear a hat and scarf since up to 50% of your body heat can escape through your uncovered head or neck. Cover you mouth with the scarf to help protect your lungs.

· DO NOT consume alcohol, coffee or tea in attempt to warm up. Alcohol and caffeine dilate blood vessels which promotes the rapid loss of body heat.

While hypothermia can happen to anyone, the elderly run the highest risk because their bodies often do not adjust to changes in temperature quickly and they may be unaware they are gradually getting colder. Surprisingly, most cases of hypothermia occur indoors among older people, in their own homes. For this reason, it is important to set your thermostat above 65°F to avoid hypothermia.

Heating costs have sky-rocketed in recent years. Local residents who meet eligibility requirements may get help in paying for their energy costs through the NOW program. Southbury residents who need assistance may call Loryn Ray at the Southbury Town Hall, 262-0666. Woodbury residents can call Margie Ross at the Woodbury Town Hall, 263-4117. Oxford residents may call the Oxford Town Hall at 888-2543.

What to do

Not all of the above warning signs may be present in a person with hypothermia. Some of the warning signs could also indicate other serious conditions, such as stroke, heart attack or diabetic coma. The most certain clue to hypothermia is a person’s body temperature. When taking someone’s temperature, be sure to shake the thermometer all the way down. If the oral temperature is below 95°F or doesn’t register, call a doctor or 911 and indicate that the person may be suffering from hypothermia. Hypothermia is a serious medical emergency. Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink, do not try to re-warm the person other than gently covering with a blanket to prevent further heat loss and don’t move the person even to change clothes.

Frostbite

Freezing weather poses another hazard: frostbite. In frostbite, skin and underlying nerves and blood vessels freeze. Damage can be so severe that the affected part of the body may actually be lost. Most often, frostbite affects the toes, fingers, earlobes, chin and tip of the nose (these body parts are often left uncovered and can freeze quickly).

Mild Frostbite

Mild frostbite or frostnip, affects the outer layers the skin and appears as a whitening of the skin. A person may feel severe cold, numbness, a “pins and needles” feeling, then pain. Usually these symptoms will disappear as warming occurs, but the skin may appear red for several hours after.

Even with mild frostbite, you should receive medical attention. However, here are some self-warming guidelines that you can follow to prevent further injury:

· First get to a warm place where you can stay warm after thawing. Remove wet clothes.

· You can re-warm the affected area by soaking in warm water – not hot water -(approximately 100°F) for about 30-45 minutes until good color has returned to the area. This process might be painful.

· If warm water is not available, cover yourself with blankets, coats, sweaters, etc. or place the frostbitten extremity in a warm body area such as in an armpit or on the abdomen.

· Do not allow the injury to thaw and re-freeze. This is very dangerous – it can cause serious or permanent injury.

· Leave blisters intact.

· Do not use dry heat (sun lamp, radiator, hair dryer, heating pad, etc.) to thaw the injured area.

· Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area. You may cause tissue damage. NEVER rub the area with snow.

· Do not use alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, or other drugs that may affect blood flow.

Severe Frostbite

Severe cases of frostbite are extremely serious. The skin will appear waxy-looking with a white, grayish-yellow or grayish-blue color. The affected part will be numb and blisters may be present. The tissues will feel frozen or “wooden”. During re-warming the skin may turn blue or purple and become swollen, itchy, and extremely painful. Severe cases of frostbite require immediate medical attention.

Preventing frostbite

To avoid frostbite follow the same precautions as you would to prevent hypothermia. It is especially important to keep hands, feet, and the head area warm. Wear a hat and scarf. Wear snug, but not tight, insulated boots or shoes with wool socks. Wear mittens instead of gloves. Mittens are warmer than gloves – they trap the heat from other fingers and don’t limit circulation. If you need to use your hands, wear a pair of gloves under the mittens.

Winter Storm Precautions

Winter storms can pose a variety of problems. Preparation for a storm should begin when a storm watch has been issued. You should have on hand:

· Warm clothes and extra blankets

· Flashlight, portable radio, batteries

· Containers for water, canned food, pet food, a manual can opener, medications

· Ice, cooler(s)

· Sterno, candles, matches

· Games, cards, books

· Firewood

Before the cold weather begins, you should be sure the chimney has been cleaned and that your furnace is in good working order.

Keep your car stocked with supplies in case you get stuck or stranded. These supplies should include: a blanket, gloves, hat, extra clothing, first-aid kit, snow shovel and either sand or kitty litter for traction.

In the event of a power outage, food spoilage can occur if electricity is not restored for a few days. When a storm watch has been issued, set the refrigerator and freezer temperatures to their coldest setting. Food in most freezers will remain at safe temperatures (below45°F) for up to three days. To keep refrigerator and freezer longer, keep the door clsed and cover the appliance with a blanket or insulated material, taking care not to cover the vents. If the food temperature has risen above 45°F or if you are in doubt about its safety, throw it out.

A power outage may also make it impossible to use your well. Before the storm begins, set aside a supply of water by filling your bathtub, sinks and any spare containers.

Shoveling

After heavy snowfalls, there are many reports of people fatally stricken with heart attcks from overexertion while shoveling snow or pushing stalled vehicles. Often, they are men over 40 or those with a history of heart trouble. The Pomperaug Health District would like offer the following advice:

• If you are not in condition for hard, physical efforts, or if you have a heart condition, hire someone to shovel you walk or driveway.
• If you start perspiring unduly, or if your breathing becomes difficult or short, stop and rest. Also, rest if you pulse beats too fast or your heart begins to pound.
• If you feel yourself becoming tired, stop and rest. Take frequent rest periods. Don’t try to rush.
• Avoid lifting too much snow on the shovel at one time. Instead, take “small bites”. Lifting too much at one time can cause back injury as well as tire you out.
• A snow blower is helpful with removing snow, but requires careful use. Always shut off the engine before making any adjustments or trying to clear clogged snow or objects. Keep children or pets away from the area you are clearing. The snow blower blades can pick up hidden objects, like stones, and hurl them with tremendous force. Wear appropriate footwear to avoid slipping. Never add fuel while the engine is running or hot.

A little knowledge and common sense will go a long way in keeping the cold winter months as safe as possible.