Baby, It's Cold Outside!
Tips for Staying Safe and Warm in the Winter Months
Sure as the leaves are falling, so will the temperatures. The approaching winter weather can be hazardous in more ways than one to the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. There are things you can do, however, to stay safe and warm during the winter months.
According for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat leaves the body more rapidly as the temperatures drop and the wind speed increases. In addition, a person's ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age, making people over the age of 65 more susceptible to health problems caused by the cold.
When the weather is extremely cold, the CDC suggests that people in this at-risk group stay indoors whenever possible, especially if there are high winds. If you must go outside, make trips brief, and dress warmly. Appropriate outerwear includes a hat, scarf that covers the face and mouth, long sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens (they are warmer than gloves), and a water-resistant coat and boots. Your outermost layer should be tightly woven to reduce the amount of body heat loss from the wind.
Clothing should be layered for increased warmth. However, excess perspiration increases heat loss. Therefore, you should remove layers if you feel too warm.
If you are outdoors and begin shivering, don't ignore it. The CDC warns that this could be an early warning sign of hypothermia, or an abnormally low body temperature. Other signs include confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech. If any of these symptoms occur, seek shelter immediately.
Frostbite is another condition caused by extremely cold temperatures. This can cause loss of feeling or color in the affected area. Most commonly affected, the CDC says, are the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. If untreated, permanent damage can occur, possibly leading to amputation. Those with already reduced blood circulation are especially prone to frostbite.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the optimum indoor temperature for elderly people or those with health problems is between 68 and 75 degrees. It is sometimes necessary to use an alternative source of heat for seniors to stay warm. However, the CDC recommends using extreme caution when using a kerosene or other form of space heater. Be sure to keep the heat source more than 3 feet away from furniture and drapes. The unit should be equipped with an automatic shut-off feature and should not contain any glowing elements. Be aware that the use of space heaters increases the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Install a battery operated carbon monoxide detector and change the batteries once a month.
The CDC says that it is best to begin preparing for the winter months as soon as possible. The following is a list of some items to keep in your home in case a severe storm moves in and you are unable to leave the house:
- plenty of drinking water
- canned and no-cook foods such as crackers and cereal
- hand-held can opener
- prescription and other medications
- first aid kit
- flashlight with extra batteries
- portable, battery operated radio and lantern
For more information on staying safe during the winter, please visit the CDC website at www.cdcinfo@cdc.gov or call 1-800-232-4636.
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