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Winter Safety Tips for Seniors (December 2008)
By Home Helpers, Jennifer Anastasiades

While inclement weather poses safety risks to people of all ages, the following safety tips are especially important for older adults. Keep these in mind this winter and share them with family and friends. 

Keeping Safe Inside Your Home

• Make sure you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed and working properly. Whether burning candles, using miniature lights on holiday décor, or heating your home, should there be an unexpected problem, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can save lives. You might also keep a fire extinguisher handy and be familiar with how to operate it, just in case.
• Use extension cords per the instructions. Whether plugging in holiday décor or using a portable room heater, make sure to use the proper gauge extension cord. Also, be careful not to overload extension cords or use extensions cords that are broken or frayed. When used improperly, extension cords can overheat and become a safety hazard.
• Have the chimney inspected/cleaned before using your fireplace. It is important to use protective barriers (e.g., screen) and to ensure the proper ventilation when enjoying your fireplace. For information and safety tips, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America at www.csia.org. 
• Make sure lighting is sufficient and accessible. With shorter daylight hours, proper lighting throughout your home is especially important in the winter. Using timers and being able to control lights by a flip of a light switch are easy ways to help ensure your safety. Improper lighting is reported to be a significant factor associated with fires.
• Use walk-off mats by your doors. To help prevent slipping and falling, use walk-off mats inside your entryway and other doors to capture snow and moisture from your shoes and clothing and help keep floors dry. 
• Enjoy a hot beverage. To help keep your body warm you might enjoy a cup of coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate or some warm soup. 
• Stock-up on emergency supplies and have a back-up plan. Should the power go out, it is important to have a battery-operated radio, a flashlight and extra batteries, a non-electric can opener, first-aid kit, and a supply of bottled water, canned food, snack foods and pet food (as appropriate). As a precautionary measure you might also turn your water faucets so they drip and open cabinet doors under the kitchen sink to help prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep Safe When Venturing Outside

• Dress properly. Two major safety risks, hypothermia (a drop in body temperature), and frostbite (when skin tissue freezes) can often be prevented. Bundle up and wear multiple layers, put on a hat to cover your head and ears, and use mittens or gloves and a scarf to help keep warm. Go indoors if you feel cold, become confused or exhausted, etc. 
• Wear proper shoes. Wear shoes with rugged or non-slip soles to help prevent slips and falls. If a surface appears shiny or wet, use extra caution as it could be icy or otherwise dangerous. 
• Be careful not to overdo it. Strenuous activity such as shoveling a driveway or sidewalk, or carrying heavy firewood can lead to serious injury or even death. If you become short of breath, dizzy or start sweating profusely stop immediate and rest. Call 911 for help as appropriate.
• Keep a safety kit in the car. In case you unexpectedly get stuck away from home, a safety kit could make all the difference. Items you may want to keep in your car include blankets, water, snack foods, a windshield scrapper, extra windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze. We also recommend filling-up the gas tank so it doesn’t go below half a tank.

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