Like many blizzards preparation is essential to the safety of the elderly & handicap who live alone,With limited mobility,instability that can lead to falls.Taking the time to check on our elderly neighbor,relatives & friends once a week by a simple phone call (or) visiting once a week could prevent such occurrences from happening.There should always be emergency numbers posted where it can be clearly seen & preferably next to phone.Elderly are also at a higher risk of hypothermia during the cold weather because of their body's inability to maintain internal heat that diminishes as they age.Some of the things to help with safety during these cold winter months:
- Dress in layers
- Wear hat, gloves & warm shoes or slippers
- Scarf to cover face
- Preventing slips & falls(wearing non slip shoes,using walker,keeping area free of snow/ice)
- Preventing common colds by proper nutrition,vaccine for flu/pneumonia & keeping hydrated.
- Space heater should never be used unattended & cooking ovens,grills should never be used for a source of heat because of the risk of carbon monoxide.
- No candles used unattended ( risk of fire/flammable materials)