Keeping warm
Take precautions in cold weather to stay safe and healthy
Staying safe and healthy during the cold weather months means taking precautions.
If you use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater in your home, be extremely careful. Always keep a multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher near the area you heat. If you use an indoor gas heater, make sure it is in a well-ventilated space and only use the recommended fuel for it.
Be sure the heating device you use is up to date and has been serviced. Toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide, from old or faulty heaters can cause unconsciousness or death.
Make certain you monitor indoor temperatures carefully. Infants should never sleep in a cold room because they lose body heat quicker than adults. Older adults also need to take precautions since they retain less heat because of slowed metabolism.
When temperatures are extremely cold like the past few days, try to stay indoors. When outdoors, reduce the potential dangers that cold weather can mean.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers these tips for winter:
- Dress warmly and stay dry, adding layers to keep yourself warm
- Avoid exertion. Cold wather can put extra strain on your body, particularly your heart
- Cover exposed skin with winter apparel like hats, scarves, gloves or mittens.
- Let others know when you head outdoors for activities and/or errands
- Stay safe outdoors, and try to avoid perspiring or becoming overtired
Frostbite and hypothermia are serious conditions that can be reduced by early recognition and treatment. Shivering is a firm indicator it is time to go inside or get warmer because it's the first sign your body is losing heat.
Frostbitten skin is cold, hard, pale and has no feeling; and, when it is in warm air, it becomes red and painful. Hypothemia is a life-threatening condition, with symptoms including trembling, muscle stiffness, face puffiness, disorientation and confusion. If you suspect frostbite, hypothermia or other complications, seek emergency medical care immediately.
