Avoiding winter injury

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Winter weather poses various hazards, both outside and inside the home.
Emergency rooms get crowded over the winter months with people suffering from injuries and other cold-related health problems. But, according to Dr Jeffrey Desmond, head of Emergency Medicine at the University of Michigan, you can deal with most of these hazards with a few simple common sense measures.

Snow removal is one of the main sources of injury. If you have to clear snow using a blower, remember this is a potentially dangerous device and be sure to use the safety features. If you're shoveling, pace yourself and keep your back straight, pushing snow rather than lifting it to avoid back strain. Stay to one side of snow or ice you are dealing with to avoid slips and falls.

Winter sports are another source of injury. If you're enjoying a spot of skating or sledging, make sure you're using the correct equipment and wrap up warm. Avoid hypothermia by going indoors as soon as you start to shiver or if your hands or feet feel numb.

Finally, people with heart or lung disease are very vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty boilers. So ensure that equipment is regularly serviced.

Source
University of Michigan Health System 23rd December 2004

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