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Health Concerns
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can be fatal if not detected promptly and
treated properly. It occurs when the body temperature
drops to 95 degrees or below. A 3.6 degree drop from a
normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees may seem
trivial, but it’s drastic for vital organs. The most
common victims are older persons who have difficulty
keeping themselves or their homes warm in cold weather.
Senior citizens should take caution that they don’t turn
their thermostats down too low to save money. Infants
less than 1 year of age are also at risk because they
lose body heat more easily than adults, and cannot make
enough body heat by shivering. The condition can develop
over a period of time. Even cool indoor temperatures of
60 degrees can eventually trigger hypothermia. Symptoms
include shivering, drowsiness, slurred speech,
hallucinations and slow and shallow breathing. If you
notice these symptoms in a person, take his or her
temperature. If it is 95 degrees or below, call a doctor
or ambulance, or take the victim directly to the
hospital. Those who have inadequate heating at home
should visit malls or other public places to stay warm.
As always, check on neighbors who live alone and never
leave infants or pets alone in cold cars. When outdoors,
be aware of the added effect of wind chill. For example,
20-degree air temperature combined with a 20 miles per
hour wind, has the effect of 10 degrees below zero on
the human body.
Frostbite
When spending long periods of time outdoors during cold
weather, be alert for signs of frostbite. It initially
occurs in the nose, ears, fingers and toes, and can
happen at any temperature below 32 degrees. Frostbitten
skin is whitish, and stiff and feels numb rather than
painful. Children are especially susceptible to
frostbite because they can become so engrossed in their
play that they overlook discomfort. To prevent
frostbite, wear hats that cover the ears, scarves or
masks to cover the face, and several layers of clothing
to trap body heat. Mittens are better than gloves. To
treat frostbitten skin, do not rub the area, since
friction can cause further skin damage. Seek medical
attention immediately. Warm the affected parts of the
body with warm water for 20 to 40 minutes. Wrap the
frostbitten area in blankets, sweaters, etc.
Snow Shoveling
You should avoid shoveling snow unless you are in good
physical condition. If you become breathless, stop, go
indoors and warm up before continuing. Overexertion can
cause heart attacks and lifting heavy snow can cause
back ailments.
Winter Sports Safety
Lake County’s numerous inland lakes are frequently used
for skating and snowmobiling during winter. If you skate
on a lake or a pond, take safety precautions. Do not
skate unless the ice has a uniform thickness of at least
4 inches. Have rescue devises, such as a rope, ladder
and blankets on hand. Do not skate alone. If you are
snowmobiling, do not travel on lakes or rivers without
knowing the ice conditions. To be safe, there should be
8 inches of clear ice. While snowmobiling, also be aware
that heavy or drifting snow can obscure fences, tree
stumps and uneven ground. Also, be especially careful if
a child is your passenger. |
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