The first day of spring is only 3 weeks away and while that means green grass and blooming flowers are on the horizon, there is still plenty of cold weather to survive. According to the National Weather Service, today is the day we should begin planning for spring weather and forego our winter weather preparations. If last week showed us anything, it’s that Mother Nature doesn’t abide by the calendar! Big Sandy Medical Center is always here to take care of you, whether you’ve fallen on the ice or suffered a sunburn, but prevention is key.
Ice has been the culprit of many challenges and injuries this year. According to the CDC over 1 million Americans are injured on the ice every year. To prevent ice buildup on driveways and walkways, be sure to remove snow before it gets packed down. Ice melt, kitty litter, and sand can be applied to any areas where ice has already accumulated. To keep yourself safe when walking on ice consider slow steady movements, be mindful of where you walk, and wear appropriate footwear. Rubber and neoprene soled shoes will offer the best traction on ice and snow. If you do find yourself falling, tuck your chin to your chest to help prevent your head from coming in contact with the ground. You should also try to land on your side and don’t use your hands to catch yourself to help prevent broken bones. After a fall, check in with your body to evaluate your ability to stand. If you are unable to stand up immediately, call for help, then do what you can to stay warm. The ground will absorb much of your body heat so if you can limit points of contact with the ground that will help you to stay warmer while waiting for assistance. It is wise to seek medical attention for any pain that occurs after a fall. If you take any blood thinners and have hit your head on the ground, it is recommended that you be evaluated for potential bleeding in the brain. Evaluation is crucial as symptoms of a brain bleed may not be present right away.
If you must drive on the icy roads, be sure to give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination. Consider slowing your speeds to 45 mph on icy roads. Driving 45 instead of 70 will help prevent sliding and losing control, and also make stopping more successful. At 45 mph, you can drive 40 miles in 53 minutes versus 34 minutes to cover the same distance when driving 70 mph. That is less than 20 minutes difference and certainly a better spent 20 minutes than sitting in the ditch waiting for a tow or worse, heading to the BSMC ER to be evaluated for injuries after an accident. While driving if you begin to skid, ease your foot off the gas and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Most vehicles have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), so steady pressure to the brake pedal is the way to go. If your vehicle does not have an ABS system, then you’ll want to apply and release pressure at a steady rate to prevent your wheels from locking up and avoid skidding. If these strategies don’t work and you do get stuck in the ditch after sliding on the snow and ice, stay in your vehicle and run the engine for about ten minutes every hour to allow for warmth. In this time, you want to roll the window down for some fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. You’ll also need to clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning. Keep the dome light on while running the engine to help your vehicle be visible to rescuers. You can also tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or door.
It’s important to always dress for the wintry weather too. With windchills of just 18 below zero, you can suffer from frostbite in as little as 30 minutes. Early signs of frostbite include pale, dry skin, pain, tingling, burning, or aching, and swelling of an area. If you experience any of these symptoms, protect your skin from the elements as soon as possible. Seek treatment if blisters occur. Hypothermia is also a risk factor in cold temperatures. At the first sign of shivering and/or difficulty pronouncing words, get indoors and warm up! In the event of increased confusion or increased heart rate, medical attention is needed.
BSMC is happy to help in any instance that you need medical assistance. Hopefully, this is the end of the cold, wintry weather for a while. Until then, stay on your feet or on the road, and no matter where your day takes you, stay warm!
