If you are more than an hour away from a hospital, place the frostbitten area in warm water. Rewarming usually takes 20 to 45 minutes.
Deep frostbite usually affects the feet or hands and is characterized by waxy, pale, solid skin. Blisters may appear. Treat deep frostbite by moving the victim indoors and immediately seek medical attention.
Frostbite is the most common injury resulting from exposure to severe cold. White, waxy or grayish-yellow patches on the affected areas characterize superficial frostbite. The skin feels cold and numb. The skin surface feels stiff but underlying tissue feels soft and pliable when depressed.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Symptoms of Hypothermia include:
Changes in mental state
Uncontrollable shivering
Cool stomach
Low body temperature
Severe hypothermia may produce rigid muscles, dark and puffy skin, irregular heart and respiratory rates, and unconsciousness.
Treat Hypothermia
Call for medical attention
Get victim out of the cold
Cover the victim's head
Insulate the victim with blankets, pillows, towels, newspapers, etc.
Keep yourself safe from injury by taking these precautions:
Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful.
If you have heart trouble, do not shovel without a doctor's permission.
Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
Take it slow! Pace yourself. Be sure to stretch out and warm up before taking on the task.
Shovel only fresh snow.
Push the snow as you shovel.
Do not pick up too much at once.
Lift with your legs bent, not your back. Keep your back straight.
Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If you run out of breath, take a break.
Dress warmly.
According to Nationwide Children's Hospital in 2011, averages of 11,500 snow shoveling-related injuries were treated from 1990 to 2006 with nearly 100 deaths related to snow removal.
Snow Blower Safety
Be safe with these tips from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
If the blower jams, turn it off.
Keep your hands away from the moving parts
Do not drink alcohol and use the snow blower
Be aware of the carbon monoxide risk of running a snow blower in an enclosed space
Refuel your snow blower when it is OFF, never when it is running
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.
It can be emitted by combustion sources such as unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, furnaces, woodstoves, gas stoves, fireplaces and water heaters, automobile exhaust from attached garages, and tobacco smoke. Problems can arise as a result of improper installation, maintenance, or inadequate ventilation.
Health effects include:
Fatigue
Headache
Weakeness
Confusion
Dizziness
How Do I Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Make sure chimneys, fireplaces and other areas are anually inspected and cleaned by a certifited technician. Do not use ovens or gas ranges to heat your home. Never leave a lawn mower or car running in an enclosed space. Have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. If the alarm goes off check that it is the carbon monoxide monitor, check for poisoning symptoms and clear out of area immediately if someone is experiencing symptoms. If not, througholy ventilate your home.
How Do I Treat Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows. Turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. Go to an emergency room. Be sure to tell the physician that you suspect CO poisoning.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that can only be detected through radon testing. It is a radioactive gas that is produced by the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils.
Why should I take action?
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that exposure to radon in the home is responsible for an estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Yet it’s a health hazard with a simple solution. Learn more about the health risks related to radon exposure.
How can I take action?
The EPA recommends all homeowners test their residences for radon gas concentrations. There are both short- and long-term testing kits available.
