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Pat's PBS Special

safety during winter weather

Patricia Carroll, RN,BC, CEN, RRT, MS

It's been a few years since I listened to the weather report and heard we were under a blizzard warning, but it happened last night. As a former critical care and ER nurse, I have seen the tragic results of severe winter weather. As a Community Outreach Liaison for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, I want to share tips you can use to protect yourself and your family, friends and neighbors.

Stay Home

First, don't go outside unless you absolutely have to. When I worked in the hospital, there were times I was asked to stay home so the authorities could clear the highways. On the other hand, I have also worked double shifts when I was part of the group who got to the hospital before the weather got too bad. Unless you lose power and need to go to a shelter of some sort, stay put.

If you need to leave home for medical care, call your local rescue service. Don't try to go it alone. If there is a delay because the roads are in bad shape, care can be provided in an ambulance -- don't risk going in your vehicle.

If you must go out, be sure to have extra food, clothing, warm blankets, a cell phone, battery-operated radio and drinking cups in your vehicle. For more information if you get stuck, click here.

Health Issues

Tragic stories follow severe winter storms as predictably as spring follows winter. To reduce health hazards associated with winter storms:

Pay special attention to people (family, friends, or neighbors) who are easily confused or disoriented such as a person with Alzheimer's disease. Someone with Alzheimer's disease, for example, could walk out the front door to go to the mailbox and get lost in the low visibility and blowing snow on the way. There have also been reports of folks being stranded outside when a strong gust of wind blew the door shut behind them and locked them out. Someone who gets confused may not think to go to a neighbor's house to ask for help. Sadly, this is how people freeze to death.
According to the CDC, people at greatest risk to freeze to death during a winter storm are over 65 years of age, drink alcohol every day, become confused easily, or have some sort of mental illness.
A number of types of medications and diseases will make it more difficult to conserve heat -- check with your health care provider. Some include: low thyroid function, poor nutrition, stroke, skin diseases such as psoriasis, and Parkinson's disease.
Be sure to eat at least three meals a day -- taking in calories will help your body produce heat -- important if you lose power or get stuck in your vehicle.
Do not drink alcohol during a winter storm. You will lose more body heat if you consume alcohol; this can be critical if you lose power or get stuck in a car (you should never drink and drive anyway).
Frostbite is common when there is heavy snow and high winds. Cover as much of your body as you can. Mittens are preferable to gloves because when your fingers are together, they will stay warmer. Wear layers of clothing. Stay as dry as possible. The most common sites for frostbite are the tip of the nose, ears, fingers, and toes. For more about frostbite, click here.
Don't smoke, because smoking reduces blood flow to the areas most susceptible to frostbite.

Candles

While it may seem obvious, it bears repeating -- never leave candles unattended, and don't fall asleep with candles burning. Be sure that candle flames are away from curtains, bedding or any materials that can burn.

A lit candle can also be a rough carbon monoxide monitor. If you have no power, or are stuck in your car in a severe snowstorm or blizzard, light a small candle. It requires oxygen to burn. As long as a candle is burning, oxygen is present in the air.

Carbon Monoxide

Sadly, carbon monoxide deaths go hand-in-hand with severe weather. You can be overcome inhaling carbon monoxide if you are stuck in your car or if you try an alternate source of heat in your home if you lose power.

To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Do not keep your car running continuously if you're stuck. Regularly check your tailpipe to be sure it is not blocked with snow; if it is, carbon monoxide will be pumped directly into your passenger compartment. Clean the snow away. Run your car and heater about 10 minutes every hour for heat. Crack a window for fresh air.
If you're home, don't try to rig up an alternate heat source such as a charcoal grill in the house. If it is safe, check to make sure the flue venting your heating system is clear and not blocked with snow during the storm. If you are without heat for a time due to a power failure, the flue is more likely to become blocked because it won't be venting warm air. Check it when the heat comes back on.
After the storm, make sure you clean your car's tailpipe first -- then, start your car so it can warm up while you clear the rest of the snow
If you see someone sitting in an idling car during a severe storm, make sure he or she is OK by tapping on the window. If the person is unconscious, get him or her into fresh air and call rescue services immediately

If You Get Stuck in Your Vehicle

Stay calm and stay with your car. If you leave to try and get help during the storm, your body temperature will drop. This is called hypothermia. The colder you get, the more your judgment will be impaired. That can make the difference between making a smart decision and freezing to death. Don't take the chance! Once the storm is over, it's much safer to leave to get help.

Don't eat snow! You may have heard you should eat snow so you don't get dehydrated. The part about taking in fluids is important -- but if you eat snow, you'll lower your body temperature. Better to collect the snow and let it melt, or use a small candle to create heat to melt the snow. Then, drink the water.

Run the heater and engine about ten minutes every hour and crack a window downwind to allow fresh air to enter the vehicle (run the heater every half hour if it's extremely cold).

If you can move the car, point it into the wind. Cars are designed to cut through the air on the highway.

Think of anything in the vehicle you could cover yourself with to keep warm -- from floor mats to seat covers to folding road maps. Be creative!

Draw attention to your vehicle. Tie a colored flag to your antenna. Honk your horn if you hear snowplows or other vehicles nearby. A horn can be heard one-half mile away once the wind calms down.

Frostbite

Simply put, frostbite is freezing of the skin with or without freezing in the tissues under the skin. The skin looks white and waxy. It is hard and numb. Frostbite can occur in just a few minutes if the windchill factor is very low and the skin is unprotected. It can happen to children who are having too much fun playing in the snow to notice.

Don't do these things if you suspect frostbite:

Don't try to re-warm with direct heat such as sitting by the fireplace or by using a heating pad or sun lamp.
Don't rub the affected area in an effort to warm it.
Don't thaw the area if there is a risk for refreezing, which can cause even more tissue damage. Wait until you're someplace warm to stay.

Get the person into dry clothing if necessary
Apply warm (not hot) compresses at about 100 degrees F
Immerse the area in warm (not hot) water
Expect pain as the frozen area thaws
Rest the affected area (don't walk on a frostbitten foot)
Keep the area clean and cover any blisters with a sterile bandage
Consult with your health care provider if you think you may have frostbite -- even a mild case

If you live in an area where harsh winters are common, plan for winter in the fall. Talk with family members about what to do during a severe winter storm, and outfit your vehicle with items that will help you if you get stuck. For more information, click here

Above all, stay safe and healthy and if you can, enjoy nature's beauty from inside with a cup of hot chocolate.

Written: February 2003

Reviewed: May 2004