Winter brings opportunities to enjoy outdoor sports and activities in Wisconsin, but it also presents health and safety risks like hypothermia and frostbite. The document provides tips for safe winter participation which include dressing appropriately for weather and sport, never going alone, applying sunscreen, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and being aware of signs of injury. Special care should also be given to pets during winter by providing warm shelter, fresh water, plenty of food, and bringing dogs inside when it is very cold.
Cold weather can pose a serious health hazard to anyone regardless of age. These obstacles become only more difficult with age, from trips and falls on slippery ice to the common illnesses that the temperature drop brings, there is a lot for seniors to overcome during the winter season.
Cold weather can pose a serious health hazard to anyone regardless of age. These obstacles become only more difficult with age, from trips and falls on slippery ice to the common illnesses that the temperature drop brings, there is a lot for seniors to overcome during the winter season.
This simple Presentation highlights Sunstroke by giving:
General description about Sunstroke.
Symptoms of sunstroke.
Medications the raise the risk of Sunstroke
How to prevén and treat Sunstroke.
What to wear to avoid Sunstroke.
Heat illness can grab anyone in most every industry and out-of-work activities. Presenter is a coach outside of work, a Safety, Health and Wellness professional, and has seen both athletes and workers fall victim to heat. This presentation uses facts from a variety of sources along with his first-hand experience.
This simple Presentation highlights Sunstroke by giving:
General description about Sunstroke.
Symptoms of sunstroke.
Medications the raise the risk of Sunstroke
How to prevén and treat Sunstroke.
What to wear to avoid Sunstroke.
Heat illness can grab anyone in most every industry and out-of-work activities. Presenter is a coach outside of work, a Safety, Health and Wellness professional, and has seen both athletes and workers fall victim to heat. This presentation uses facts from a variety of sources along with his first-hand experience.
3. You are a bit more laid back.
Wisconsin is a great place to
get outdoors in the winter.
4. Dress for the weather and your sport
• Never participate in winter sports alone. With a partner (or two),
you can use the ‘buddy system’, for example, to check each other
for signs of hypothermia.
• Be aware that you are exposed to UV radiation even on cold and
cloudy days. Apply broad spectrum 30+ sunscreen to all areas of
exposed skin. Reapply regularly.
• Drink plenty of water before, during and after sport.
5. Dress for the weather and your sport
• Don’t drink alcohol. While an alcoholic drink seems to warm you
up, it actually narrows your blood vessels, particularly those of the
hands, which can increase your risk of hypothermia.
• Carry some snacks or energy bars as fatigue increases the
risk of injury.
• If your feet, hands or other body parts get wet, seek shelter as
soon as you can. The skin tissues that are wet and cold are in
danger of freezing.
6. Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite
• Grey or blue facial skin
• Cold, hard and white skin
• Numb patches on the skin
• Swollen and blistering skin
• Uncontrollable shivering, followed by lack of shivering
• Loss of physical coordination
• Speaking difficulties, such as slurring
• Loss of control over the small muscles –
for example, the muscles of the fingers
• A strong yearning for sleep
Young children and elderly adults are most susceptible to
these injuries
7. Lets not forget about our four legged friends.
They can get cold related injuries as well.
• Making sure your dog has warm, dry, draft-free, covered shelter
• Warming that shelter with bedding you check daily - wet bedding
can be fatal to a pet.
• Being sure that fresh, unfrozen water is available to your
dog every day.
• Providing your dog plenty of food; pets need even more calories in
the winter to help them keep warm.
• Always bring your dog inside when the temperatures turn
particularly harsh or cold
8. So what ever your taste is for the winter, be safe,
be smart, stay warm and enjoy.
Winter is only here once a year.
Questions?
Feel free to stop by the medical department.
Nurse Jim is always willing to help answer your questions.