Winter is upon us here on the east coast, with the New York City area having been blanketed by over two feet of snow and experiencing arctic temperatures. While winter is nothing new to many of us, many precautionary methods need to be reinforced each year to make sure everyone knows how to stay safe, warm and alert during extreme weather conditions.
1) Stock Up on the Essentials
Milk, non-perishable food, and of course water are the staples that one needs when there is as threat of a snowstorm. The lines at your local grocery store may not be fun, but they are worth it to make sure you have stocked up in case the roads are bad or stores stay closed for a few days. Pizza delivery and Seamless won’t be helpful this weekend when you just don’t feel like cooking or open an empty pantry, so be sure to have the essentials on hand and make sure your cooking equipment is working and ready to go.
2) Keep Emergency Medicines on Hand
Think ahead about which medications you and your family members will need in case a snowstorm prevents you from getting to the doctor or the pharmacy for a few days. If your prescription is running out, be sure to pick up its refill early before the storm hits. Keep an emergency kit filled with asprin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Benadryl in your house just in case they become necessary. Drug stores often close during a snow storm, so getting these during the storm will be an impossible task. It’s better to be prepared early.
3) Stay Indoors
Trying to brave the elements opens the door to a whole slew of problems: a car that won’t start, a snow drift that traps you outside, a bad slip-and-fall on black ice, frozen locks and doors, public transportation that gets stuck. It is best to simply stay inside during a blizzard, where it is warm and stocked with the essentials. Go pick up your elderly relatives before the storm hits so they can stay with you and have all of their essentials ready to go, as well. If you need to commute to and from work, check and see if your office is open before heading out in the elements and leave early if you can before the storm gets too bad.
4) Don’t Forget About the Risk of Frostbite
Frostbite becomes a real issue when the snow starts to hit. If you do have to go outside for any reason, be sure to dress as warmly as possible. The key is layers. Be sure all of your skin is covered and not exposed, so scarves, gloves, hats, and boots will be your friends. Your clothes should also be able to absorb sweat, because when wet clothing is exposed to the cold weather, it becomes ineffetive from preventing frostbite. People with certain conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, are more likely to experience frostbite because of poor circulation. It is important to know that tingling cold and numbness are precursors to frostbite, so if that occurs, get inside immediately or seek medical attention if the area is already turning white or black. A quick solution? Dip the body part in warm, not hot, water to revive it.
5) Hypothermia is a Real Risk
If the body’s core temperature dips below 95 degrees, hypothermia could begin to set in. It is typically marked by shivering, pale skin, and nails turning blue, but for the most vulnerable people — the elderly — the first signs of hypothermia could seem less related to cold. Elderly people may experience dizziness or confusion, and that could be a sign that they are suffering. If any of these symptoms start to appear, it is definitely time to seek emergency medical attention. It is important to know that the elderly and patients who live in long-term care facilities are at higher risk of hypothermia, so be sure to check in on them frequently when there’s a stretch of cold weather.
6) Don’t Drink Alcohol
Snow days lead to many drink specials at bars and neighborhood house parties, but drinking poses many health dangers in these temperatures. First, it’s dehydrating, which is often problematic because people are less aware of their hydration level during cold months than warm. Additionally, alcohol makes it more difficult for the body to tell how cold it is. This means that while your “beer jacket” may make you feel better, it actually delays the onset of shivering and can make you lose more body heat, causing a more rapid onset of hypothermia.
7) Remove the Snow!
Eventually, your hibernation will have to come to an end and you will have to brave the elements. Once the blizzard has passed, be sure to layer your clothing properly before you start snow shoveling. Stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks to make sure your body is warm enough, because it is easy to get dehydrated doing these snow tasks. If you’re shoveling, remember it’s a strenuous, and potentially hazardous, activity so be sure to take care of your back. If a snow blower is your preferred tool, make sure to power it up only outdoors, wear hearing protection, and keep kids and loose clothing out of range.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an snow or ice-related accident, please call the lawyers at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny today for a free consultation to speak about your options and next steps. Our firm has over a century of cumulative experience in analyzing, processing, investigating and prosecuting these types of cases. Our $100 million in settlements and verdicts proves our expertise and success rate in this area. Call our office today to speak to experienced and compassionate attorneys who are here to work for you and on your behalf to make sure you get the best results from your snowstorm case.
