Living Well 60+ January-February 2014

1 4 JAN/FEB 2 0 1 4
Winter Safety Reminders
Tips for shoveling and treating frostbite
and hypothermia
by Angela S. Hoover, Staff Writer
Love it or hate it, cold weather
is here. And with it comes extra
precautions to consider when
shoveling snow, driving or just
getting out and about.
Snow Shoveling
It’s not only a necessary task, it’s a
great workout. But don’t let it put
you out. Anyone older than 40
or with a history of heart trouble
should use extreme caution while
shoveling snow. Dress with extra
care to keep your hands and feet
warm and dry. Warm up and
stretch before beginning; stretch
again when you’re done. Go
slowly and take breaks. If possible,
only shovel fresh snow since wet,
packed snow is more difficult.
Pick up only small amounts.
Remember to use your legs, not
your back. Bend and “sit” into the
movement while keeping your
back straight. Don’t work to the
point of exhaustion. Stop immediately
if your chest feels tight,
regardless of your age or health.
Frostbite
Frostbite is when skin and extremities
freeze. The nose, cheeks,
fingers and toes are most commonly
affected. Frostbite starts
with burning, numbness, tingling,
itching or cold sensations in the
affected areas. The skin appears
white, gray, yellow or blue and is
cold to the touch. The area is hard
and may even appear blackened
and dead. Left unchecked, there
will be a decrease in sensation
until it is completely lost.
At the first sign of frostbite, get to
a warm place and seek medical attention.
Softly handle the affected
area; never rub it. If possible,
slowly warm it up by soaking it in
lukewarm water (100-105 degrees
Fahrenheit) until it appears red
and feels warm. Do not expose it
directly or close to a fire. If fingers
or toes are affected, place dry, sterile
gauze between them to keep
them separated. Avoid breaking
blisters. Do not allow the affected
area to refreeze.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the
body loses heat faster than it
can produce it. This abnormally
low body temperature can make
a person sleepy, confused and
clumsy. It may not be immediately
recognized because it happens
gradually. A body temperature
below 95 degrees Fahrenheit is a
medical emergency that can lead
to death if not treated immediately.
It’s easy for anyone spending
a lot of time in cold weather to
get hypothermia, but being wet
makes it more likely. Infants and
the elderly are also at an increased
risk. Visible symptoms begin
with shivering, numbness, apathy,
weakness, impaired judgment,
incoherent speech and loss of consciousness.
Get to a warm place
and seek medical help. Remove
wet clothing and dry off. Warm up
slowly by wrapping in blankets or
putting on dry clothes. Apply hot
water bottles and chemical hot
packs wrapped in a towel or blanket.
Use your own body heat on
someone else if necessary. Do not
warm the person too quickly, such
as immersing him or her in warm
water or placing him or her close
to a fire. Rapid warming can cause
heart arrhythmias. Warm the core
– trunk and abdomen – first, not
the hands and feet. Warming the
hands or feet first can cause shock.
Monitor breathing and circulation
SAFETY Continued on Page 31
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