Winter conditions can cause dangerous situations for seniors in many ways. As Wisconsin winds blow cold weather through our area, be sure the elderly in your life are properly prepared. Here are five weather safety tips for seniors to stay safe this winter season:
Wear Shoes With Good Traction and Non-Skid Soles
It is easy to slip on the ice and get injured. This can be more severe for older bodies, causing major injuries such as hip and wrist fractures, head trauma and major lacerations. Wearing shoes that have good traction like boots or athletic shoes prevent these falls from happening. A few other tips: wipe off your wet shoes indoors and walk slowly on stairs or sidewalks.
Dress Warmly With Layers
Consumer.healthday.com recently reported on a publication called the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (funded by the CDC), which states that men and women over the age of 65 see higher risks of hypothermia than other groups. Be sure to dress more warmly than you think you may need, but wear layers so you can adjust with changing temperatures. Healthinaging.org says, “Warning signs of hypothermia include cold skin that is pale or ashy; feeling very tired, confused and sleepy; feeling weak; problems walking; slowed breathing or heart rate.”
Prepare For Power Outages
Power outages can be dangerous for seniors in the winter, especially those living alone. Severe blizzards and winter weather can cause power outages at any time. Be sure to stockpile nonperishable foods in your home and have easy access to blankets and flashlights, as well as batteries in your radio. If you have a cell phone, it is a good idea to have a spare battery or charging unit to make a phone call to a family member or the police in emergency situations.
Clean The Fireplace and Replace Batteries in Carbon Monoxide Detector
Unless fireplaces and wood or gas stoves are properly vented, cleaned, and used, they can leak dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide—a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. Deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning rise significantly in the winter months. Place smoke detectors and battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in strategic places, especially in areas where you use fireplaces, wood stoves, or kerosene heaters.
Get Your Car Serviced and Elect Roadside Assistance
Safe driving can be harder for seniors with delayed reflexes, especially when road conditions are less than ideal. Senioradvisor.com suggests:
“During the winter months, have the oil, tires, battery, and fluid in your wipers checked. Ensure your roadside assistance is up to date. Keep a couple of extra blankets and an emergency kit in your truck in case you’re disabled on the roadside and have to wait for a tow truck.”
These are all great ideas for staying safe on the slippery roads during winter.
Winter causes all kinds of delays and inconveniences in our schedule. Being prepared for the worst-case scenario could potentially save a life this season.
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