Wintertime Safety
By Sydney from Copley Place, Copley Place, Akron LIVING WELL Magazine
It is good to be like the Boy Scouts, and heed their motto: “ BE PREPARED ” … “the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.” Robert Baden-Powell
This is true for all situations; it’s especially true in wintertime. Unfortunately, statistics show that about one third of people over age 65 fall each year. The risk of falls increases proportionately with age. Over half of seniors fall annually at 80 years of age. During the winter, it is extremely important to be aware of all types of safety.
Here are a few tips to help you be prepared in the following winter situations:
1) While Driving:
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
- Keep the gas tank full.
- Replace windshield wipers, fluid and check tire air pressure.
- Place an emergency kit in the trunk. Include a snow shovel, blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables and a first aid kit.
2) When Outside:
- Dress in loose layers, wear gloves and a scarf and cover your head!
30-50% of body heat is lost through the head!
- Keep hydrated. Like warmer weather, it is important to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. You can get dehydrated in the winter.
- If you must shovel…take frequent breaks. Exercising in cold temperatures adds strain to the heart.
- Keep sidewalks clear of snow. Use road salt, kitty litter or sand to keep sidewalks, steps and driveways as slip-free as possible.
3) In-Home Safety:
- Install and check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Have fireplace and chimney flues checked once a year.
If using a space heater, remember to give it space…keep it away from anything flammable.
- Have an ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher in your home and learn how to use it in case of an emergency.
Watch the weather forecast!
- Winter ADVISORY means significant weather expected and may be hazardous.
- Winter Storm WATCH means heavy ice and snow are expected soon.
- Winter Storm WARNING means severe weather is about to begin. Stay indoors.
- A BLIZZARD warning means the outdoor conditions could be life threatening.
A final option for a safe, cozy and maintenance-free winter with no shoveling or shopping in the snow is to stay at Copley Place! Call today to schedule a visit!
