3. 3
Cold Exposure Safety
Wear Loose-Fitting and Layered Clothing
Trapped Air Insulates
Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and chill
“Cotton Kills”…Use Polyester or Synthetic Material
Wool will insulate even when wet
Wear Hats, Hoods, and Scarves
Over Half of Heat Loss Comes From Your Head
Mittens are Better than Gloves
Cover Mouth To Protect Lungs In Extreme Cold
Drink Water to Avoid Dehydration
CDC National Center of Environmental Health
4. 4
Frostbite
Danger: Skin Cold Enough To Freeze
Signs and Symptoms:
Loss of Feeling
In Fingers, Toes, Ear Lobes, Nose
White/Pale Skin
Treatment:
Cover affected areas and gently soak in warm water
When part warm and red, cover with dry, sterile
dressing
Cotton or gauze between fingers and toes
CDC National Center of Environmental Health
5. 5
Hypothermia
Danger: Low Body Temperature
Signs and Symptoms:
Shivering
Disorientation
Drowsiness
Glassy Stare
Slow Irregular Pulse
Treatment:
Re-Warm Body with Dry Clothing & Blankets
Move to Warm Environment
If Alert Give Warm Liquids to Drink
Avoid re-warming quickly in water : may cause dangerous
heart rhythms
CDC National Center of Environmental Health
7. 7
Walking Safety
Dress Warm
Use Good Boots with Non-Skid Soles
Wear Bright and Reflective Clothing
Carry a Flashlight After Dark
Watch Hats and Scarves that Block
Vision
Use Sidewalks When Possible
Walk Against the Flow of Traffic
Center for Disease Control
8. 8
Driving Safety
Avoid Traveling in Snow and Icy Conditions
Take a Defensive Driving Class
Allow Extra Travel Time
Decrease Speed
Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide Dangers
Remove Packed Snow Around Exhaust Pipe
Don’t Sit in Parked Car With Engine Running
If Stranded
Use Blankets
Open Window Slightly
Run Heater A Few Minutes Every Hour To Keep Warm
CDC National Center of Environmental Health
9. 9
Driving Safety
Have Your Car Winter Ready
Check Condition of:
Tires
Battery
Fluid Levels
Keep an Emergency Kit
cell phone
flashlight
blankets
sand & shovel
flares & reflectors
extra clothing
food & water
first aid kit
CDC National Center of Environmental Health
10. 10
Home Safety
Inspect
Furnace
Fireplace Chimneys
Space Heaters
Replace Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries
Watch Children and Pets Around Heat Sources
Never Heat Home With Range or Oven
If gas heat, make sure vents are not blocked
Keep a Working Fire Extinguisher Handy
Post Emergency Phone Numbers Near Telephone
Use Humidifiers to Improve Air Quality
Center for Disease Control
11. 11
Holiday Safety
Watch Gifts with Small Parts for Children
Avoid Overloading Circuits with Decorative Lights
Use only UL approved lights
Use non-combustible or flame-resistant tree trim
Keep tree away from heat sources
Choose tinsel made of plastic or non-leaded materials
Practice Safe Fire Prevention in the Home
Keep Christmas Trees Well-Hydrated
Use Care when Burning Candles
Unplug Tree Lights when Away from Home
National Safety Council
12. 12
Snow Removal Safety
Avoid Shoveling If Out of Shape
Know Your Lift Limits
Avoid Twisting & Bending
Push Instead of Lift When Possible & Use Your Legs
Perform Warm-up Exercises and Take Rest Breaks
Help Prevent Slips and Falls
Use Rock Salt, Sand or De-Icing Compounds
Be Careful Operating Snow blowers
Never Clear Exhaust Chute When Running
Watch Loose Clothing Like Scarves and Jacket Sleeves
Be Aware of Projectiles
National Safety Council
13. 13
Recreation Safety
Wear Personal Protective Equipment
Use Helmets and Eye or Face Protection for Hockey,
Snowmobiling, Skiing & Snowboarding
Ride Safely When Snowmobiling
Watch Excessive Speeds
Obey Trail Regulations
Ride With a Buddy
Remember Wind-chill and Frostbite Dangers
Ride Sober
Carry Repair and Emergency Kits
Avoid Thin Ice & Open Water
National Safety Council
14. 14
“Don’t Worry…Be Happy”
(or at least don’t be SAD)
Beat Seasonal Affect Disorder!
• Get Fresh Air and Sunshine
• Stay Active – Exercise
• Spend Quality Time with Family & Friends
• Help Others through Volunteer & Community Service
• Eat Well and Avoid Excessive Drinking
• Attend a Laughter Workshop!
Mayo Clinic
Each yr more than 700 people die of hypothermia
Half of deaths among persons over 65
Men in this age group more likely than women to die of hypo.
Source: CDC National Center of Environmental Health
Hypothermia = body’s internal temp below 95 F
Dehydration & exhaustion often lead to hypothermia
Drink H2O
In 1998 131,000 motor vehicle crashes occurred in sleet & snow conditions
30,000 injuries and 600 deaths
Death rates from CO poisoning are highest in states with colder avg temps
2 days in 1996 22 people died in NYC due to exhaust pipe packed with snow
National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration
Watch Kerosene Heaters
Never use gasoline
Never refill when hot
Watch carbon monoxide level
Keep a window slightly open
DEC,JAN,FEB are leading fire & associated death mos.
More than 200 Americans die of CO poison ea year
National Fire Protection Association
CDC National Center of Environmental Health
Avoid shoveling after smoking, drinking alcohol, eating heavy meals…these can put extra stress on your cardiovascular system
Folks with high BP should use extra caution with exertion
Snow blowers are 4th leading cause of finger amputations
More than 5300 ER visits and 1000 amputations each year
9 deaths related to snow blowers reported since 1992