Transcript CHARLESTON MILL SERVICE

THE
WEATHER
5 cold-weather health
hazards,
and how to stay safe
1. What is HYPOTHERMIA?
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A. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls
below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Determine this by taking
your temperature. Warning signs include uncontrollable
shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence,
slurred speech, drowsiness, and exhaustion. Get medical
attention immediately. If you can't get help quickly, begin
warming the body SLOWLY. Warm the body core first,
NOT the extremities. Warming extremities first drives the
cold blood to the heart and can cause the body temperature
to drop further--which may lead to heart failure. Get the
person into dry clothing and wrap in a warm blanket
covering the head and neck. Do not give the person
alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any HOT beverage or food.
WARM broth and food is better. About 20% of cold
related deaths occur in the home. Young children under
the age of two and the elderly, those more than 60 years of
age, are most susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia
can set in over a period of time. Keep the thermostat above
69 degrees Fahrenheit, wear warm clothing, eat food for
warmth, and drink plenty of water (or fluids other than
alcohol) to keep hydrated.
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NOTE: Alcohol will lower your body temperature.
2. Colds and flu
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Each year, adults get an average of about three colds every year, and 1 in 5
adults will get the flu. Although colds and flu aren’t specific to cold-weather
months, they're both more prevalent during winter. One Welsh study suggests
that cold temperatures can actually lead to a cold by limiting the supply of
infection-fighting white blood cells in the nasal passage, where cold viruses
most often enter the body. And research shows that the flu virus is more
stable and stays in the air longer when air is cold and dry.
What to watch for: It’s often difficult to know whether you have a cold or the
flu, because the symptoms can be similar. At the onset of a cold, you may feel
a dry, scratchy sore throat, sneezing, a headache, runny nose with watery
mucus, watery eyes, chills, and a fever. Later symptoms can include a
blocked nose, sinus pain, a cough that keep you awake at night, muscle
aches and pains, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Flu symptoms are normally
worse than and come on more quickly than cold symptoms and include a
fever of about 100 degrees to 104 degrees F, a dry cough, muscle aches,
headache, a stopped up nose, sore throat, and feeling extremely tired.
Stay-safe tips: With a cold, you may feel quite sick for a couple of days, but
your symptoms should clear up in a week to 10 days. And most people
recover from the flu within a week. Of course, both will very likely need to be
treated by medicines. There’s no cure for a cold, but taking cold medicines
may help lessen your symptoms while your body fights off the virus. Take a
look at our recommendations for what cold medicines work best. (subscribers
only). Be sure to steer clear of antibiotics--they don't work for viruses and they
have side effects. For flu, a flu shot will help your body fight off the flu virus,
but if you already have the virus, the CDC recommends zanamivir (Relenza),
an inhaled drug, for treating seasonal flu in people age 7 and older or a
combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine.
3. Frostbite
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Frostbite can cause a loss of feeling and color in the
affected areas, such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin,
fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage
body tissue, and severe cases can lead to
amputation. In extremely cold temperatures, the risk
of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood
circulation and when people are not dressed
properly.
What to watch for: Signs of frostbite include
reduced blood flow to hands and feet (fingers or toes
can freeze), numbness, tingling or stinging, aching,
and bluish or pail, waxy skin.
Stay-safe tips: To prevent frostbite, wear warm
clothing and dress in layers when you plan to be
outdoors for an extended amount of time, and keep
dry (wet clothes increase chance of heat loss). If you
notice the signs of frostbite, get into a warm room as
soon as possible. Immerse the affected area in warm
water or warm it area using body heat. Avoid rubbing
or massaging the frostbitten area; doing so may
cause more damage. And do not use a heating pad,
heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or
radiator for warming since affected areas are numb
and can be easily burned.
4. Depression
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About 5 percent of Americans, three-quarters of them
women, experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) each
year, a type of depression that typically occurs during the
cold-weather months.
Signs to watch for: Some symptoms are similar to those
associated with other types of depression: sadness, fatigue,
excessive sleepiness, social withdrawal, and trouble
concentrating. But people with SAD also tend to move
slowly, crave carbohydrates, and gain weight. And they're
less likely than people with conventional depression to have
feelings of worthlessness or thoughts of suicide.
Stay-safe tips: If suspect you’re suffering from SAD, the
nonprofit Center for Environmental Therapeutics has an
online questionnaire that can help you determine whether
you have it. For mild cases, doing 60 minutes of outdoor
aerobic exercise in the morning might bring some relief. For
more persistent cases, talk to our doctor about therapies,
including light therapy and antidepressant. Other treatment
options include cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which you
learn to ward off negative thoughts about the season and
work on finding enjoyable activities. That kind of therapy
might also help prevent a recurrence.
5. Heart Attacks
• It’s true that there are numerous risk factors for heart attack, including
having high cholesterol, being male, and smoking cigarettes, but did you
know heart attacks are more common in winter? This may be because cold
snaps increase blood pressure and put more strain on the heart. Also, your
heart also has to work harder to maintain body heat when it's cold.
• What to watch for: The warning signs for a heart attack include, chest pain
(though not always), shortness of breath, sudden fatigue or dizziness,
sweating, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, blue tinge to your skin.
• Stay-safe tips: Bundle up outside and take it easy when exerting yourself in
the cold to help prevent a heart attack. If the symptoms we mentioned above
strike, don’t ignore them;
• call 911 immediately.
Cold Weather Hazards and
Injuries
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Winter can be a wonderful time of year for those who choose to embrace it, but
there are potential dangers associated with cold weather and we would all do well
to remind ourselves of them. When the icy blasts of winter arrive, many people
tend to stay indoors and adopt a more inactive lifestyle than perhaps they should.
By 'hibernating,' we're exposing ourselves to greater risk because our hearts need
regular exercise to remain healthy
An Italian study in 2008 revealed a significant increase in heart attack admissions
to hospital with the arrival of colder weather. Another study noted that a 10degree drop in temperature increases the risk of a recurrent heart attack by 38%.
Winter weather alone can constrict blood vessels, making the heart work harder,
and the additional strain of strenuous activity - shoveling snow, for example may trigger a heart attack.
People with known heart problems or who are in poor physical shape and/or have
a family history of heart disease should consult their doctor before engaging in
strenuous activities.
Seasonal colds and the flu can also increase the burden on our hearts, as can
stress associated with the holidays. If you are going to shovel snow or undertake
some form of strenuous activity, avoid having a full stomach as it can cause
further strain on the heart. Warm up your muscles with some basic stretches
before beginning shoveling or other activities, and take a breather from time to
time.
Flooding
• Flash floods and floods are the
#1 cause of deaths associated
with thunderstorms...more than
140 fatalities each year.
• Most flash flood fatalities occur
at night and most victims are
people who become trapped in
automobiles.
• Six inches of fast-moving water
can knock you off your feet: a
depth of two feet will cause
most vehicles to float.
Flash Flood Safety Rules
• Avoid walking, swimming,
or diving in flood waters.
• Stay away from high water,
storm drains, ditches,
ravines, or culverts. If it is
moving swiftly, even water
six inches deep can knock
you off your feet.
• If you come upon flood
waters, stop, turn around,
and go another way. Climb
to higher ground.
• Do not let children play near
storm drains.
TORNADO SAFETY
What is a tornado watch?
• A tornado watch defines an area
shaped like a parallelogram,
where tornadoes and other kinds
of severe weather are possible in
the next several hours. It does
not mean tornadoes are
imminent -- just that you need
to be alert, and to be prepared
to go to safe shelter if tornadoes
do happen or a warning is
issued. This is the time to turn
on local TV or radio, turn on and
set the alarm switch on your
weather radio, make sure you
have ready access to safe
shelter, and make your friends
and family aware of the potential
for tornadoes in the area
What is a tornado
warning?
• A tornado warning means
that a tornado has been
spotted, or that Doppler
radar indicates a
thunderstorm circulation
which can spawn a
tornado. When a tornado
warning is issued for your
town or county, take
immediate safety
precautions. Local news
offices issue tornado
warnings.
"Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are
responsibilities that are shared by all."
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Throughout this Web site, information has been provided regarding actions that you can take based on specific
hurricane hazards. The most important thing that you can do is to be informed and prepared. Disaster
prevention includes both being prepared as well as reducing damages (mitigation).
Disaster Prevention should include:
• Developing a Family Plan
• Creating a Disaster Supply Kit
• Having a Place to Go
• Securing your Home
• Having a Pet Plan
One of the most important decisions you will have to make is "Should I Evacuate?"
• If you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay. But unless you live in a coastal or
low-lying area, an area that floods frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that
emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. That means that it is important for you and your family
to HAVE A PLAN that makes you as safe as possible in your home.
• Disaster prevention includes modifying your home to strengthen it against storms so that you can be as
safe as possible. It also includes having the supplies on hand to weather the storm. The suggestions
provided here are only guides. You should use common sense in your disaster prevention.
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Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's
vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In
certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your
community.
Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be
measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a
single point of contact.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children
know how and when to call 911.
Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by
homeowners insurance.
Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as
you do with your smoke detectors.
Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
Creating a Disaster Supply Kit
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Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resalable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash
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Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan before an actual storm threatens your area. If your family hurricane
preparedness plan includes evacuation to a safer location for any of the reasons specified with in this web site, then it is
important to consider the following points:
If ordered to evacuate, do not wait or delay your departure.
If possible, leave before local officials issue an evacuation order for your area. Even a slight delay in starting your evacuation
will result in significantly longer travel times as traffic congestion worsens.
Select an evacuation destination that is nearest to your home, preferably in the same county, or at least minimize the
distance over which you must travel in order to reach your intended shelter location.
In choosing your destination, keep in mind that the hotels and other sheltering options in most inland metropolitan areas are
likely to be filled very quickly in a large, multi-county hurricane evacuation event.
If you decide to evacuate to another county or region, be prepared to wait in traffic.
The large number of people in this state who must evacuate during a hurricane will probably cause massive delays and major
congestion along most designated evacuation routes; the larger the storm, the greater the probability of traffic jams and
extended travel times.
If possible, make arrangements to stay with the friend or relative who resides closest to your home and who will not have to
evacuate. Discuss with your intended host the details of your family evacuation plan well before the beginning of the hurricane
season.
If a hotel or motel is your final intended destination during an evacuation, make reservations before you leave.
Most hotel and motels will fill quickly once evacuations begin. The longer you wait to make reservations, even if an official
evacuation order has not been issued for your area or county, the less likely you are to find hotel/motel room vacancies,
especially along interstate highways and in major metropolitan areas.
If you are unable to stay with friends or family and no hotels/motels rooms are available, then as a last resort go to a
shelter.
Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets. Bring your disaster supply kit with you to the
shelter. Find Pet-Friendly hotels and motels.
Make sure that you fill up your car with gas, before you leave.
RETROFITTING YOUR HOME
The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to
protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it's
important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in
it. You can do this by protecting and reinforcing these five critical areas:
ROOF | STRAPS | SHUTTERS | DOORS | GARAGE DOORS
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A great time to start securing - or retrofitting - your house is when you are making other
improvements or adding an addition.
• Remember: building codes reflect the lessons experts have learned from past catastrophes. Contact
the local building code official to find out what requirements are necessary for your home
improvement projects.
FLOOD INSURANCE
The National Flood Insurance Program, is a pre-disaster flood mitigation and insurance protection
program designed to reduce the escalating cost of disasters. The National Flood Insurance Program
makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents and business owners
• Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check
your policy.
BEFORE THE DISASTER
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Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
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Have a current photograph
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Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
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Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
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Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet! Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives
out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.
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If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning.
DURING THE DISASTER
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Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or
cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for
clean-up.
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Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.
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Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis. Call ahead and determine availability.
AFTER THE DISASTER
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Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be
confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
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If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture
of your pet if possible.
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After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.
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Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.
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PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT
• Proper identification including immunization records
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash