As I am writing this, it is snowing and our area has a winter weather advisory, so I offer some winter safety tips for people of all ages.
Avoid slipping on snow/ice. Make sure to wear shoes with good traction and non-skid soles, and stay indoors until the roads are clear. Replace a worn cane tip to make walking easier. Take off shoes as soon as you return indoors; often snow and ice attach to the soles and, once melted, can lead to slippery conditions indoors.
Dress for warmth. Cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. Don’t let indoor temperatures go too low. Do dress in layers. Going outside? Wear warm socks, a heavy coat, a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. Cover all exposed skin in very cold temperatures. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and protect your lungs.
Check the car. Get your car serviced before wintertime hits, or ask a family member to bring it to the garage for you. Checking oil, tires, brakes, battery and wipers can make a big difference on winter roads. Make sure the wiper fluid tank is filled and there is a proper mixture of antifreeze in the cooling system. Also, make sure your road emergency membership is up to date.
Practice parking lot safety. When walking in a parking lot, stay to the sides of the aisle and watch for cars. Make eye contact with an approaching driver, and stop walking if you don’t think the driver has seen you. Use all your senses and do not talk on the phone or use headphones while walking in a parking lot; snow can muffle the sound of an approaching vehicle. Adjust your seat, mirrors, etc., before you exit a parking space. Do not cut across parking space lines or park near drifts.
Prepare for power outages. Winter storms can lead to power outages, so make sure you have easy access to flashlights and battery powered radio in case the power goes out. Stockpile warm blankets. Keep on hand a supply of non-perishable foods that can be eaten cold. If the power goes out, wear several layers of clothing, including a hat, and keep moving to raise your body temperature.
Fight wintertime depression. To help avoid depression that may come with having less contact with others during cold months, arrange a check-in system with family members or neighbors and friends (or The Dale Association’s Telephone Reassurance Program).
Take steps to prevent CO2 poisoning. Using a fireplace, gas heater or lanterns can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure your safety by checking the batteries on your carbon monoxide detector and buying an updated one if you need to.
Take short steps on slippery surfaces. Here is a fun little poem to help you be safe:
When things get cold and icy, and your path looks kind of dicey, waddle on
Keep your toes all pointed out-y, keep your knees all loosey-goosey, waddle on
Keep your hands outside your pockets, take short steps so you won’t rocket, waddle on
Take it slowly, holy-moly, so you don’t fall down and roll-y, waddle on
Walking like a penguin, with short steps, is the way to walk safely on slippery surfaces.