(HealthDayNews) -- Winter storms and sudden cold snaps cause untold numbers of hospital visits every year in this country.
The Oregon Public Health Services (OPHS) has compiled a list of suggestions for acting wisely during harsh weather periods:
- As well as causing car accidents, slippery conditions put you at greater risk for falls and potentially serious injuries. Don't go out unless you must, and use extra caution if you do.
- Make sure all heating devices are properly vented. Tasteless, odorless indoor air pollutants -- such as carbon monoxide from an un-vented propane heater or even your gas range, when it's being used improperly to heat your home -- can be deadly.
- Hypothermia and frostbite are real dangers, particularly for small children. Make sure all skin, except the face, is covered by warm, water-resistant materials.
- Overexertion and cold weather can be a deadly combination. If you are not in good physical shape or have a heart condition, shoveling snow or other strenuous activity can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
- Downed power lines are much more likely with snow and ice conditions. Treat any power line on the ground as being live, and avoid contact with it.
- Be sure to check in with neighbors, friends or family members who live alone or may need occasional assistance with daily living tasks.
Above all, OPHS says, "Use common sense and be more careful and cautious when making decisions that could put you, your family, or others at risk" when winter turns harsh.
