It’s the end of January and the primary topic of conversation, other
than the upcoming Super Bowl, is winter weather in Ohio. Whether you like
mild winters or prefer a winter with more snow, you can experience it
here in Fayette County! On one thing we can all agree, the winter so far
this year has been challenging: ice, snow, and arctic cold temperatures
can be hazardous to one’s health! The Fayette County Memorial Hospital
(FCMH) Health Care Providers in your community recommend planning ahead
as an important step to staying healthy and safe this winter and offer
the following tips:
- Dress in layers of light clothes. Wear a hat, mittens, scarf, and waterproof
boots to keep your core warm. Hypothermia happens when the body core temperature
drops too low. This typically affects the fingers and toes first! Remember,
frostbite can be a serious, life-changing event!
- Eat healthy warm foods such as soups, spicy foods, hot tea, or coffee.
Warm up from the inside out!
- Sprinkle cat litter or sand on outside icy spots. This helps with traction
when walking!
- Work slowly when doing outdoor chores. Take breaks, go inside to warm up!
- Take a buddy when participating in outdoor activities. Not only is it safer,
it’s more fun!
- Keep an emergency kit in your car. The kit should include a blanket, flashlight,
windshield scraper, shovel, portable charger, extra batteries, bottled
water, and snacks. Try to keep the gas gauge above half a tank!
- Carry a cell phone with you. Make sure it is charged before leaving!
Many people use space heaters to heat cooler rooms in their homes. A word
of caution, be sure to keep anything flammable at least 3 feet from the
heater at all times! Always place the heater on a hard, non-flammable
surface and turn it off when leaving the premises. You don’t want
to burn down the house while trying to warm up a room!
Remember to check on family, friends, and elderly neighbors when cold weather
strikes and don’t forget your pets! If possible, bring your pets
inside; however, if you cannot, be sure they have food and water, shelter
and bedding to help keep them warm.
As your partner in health, FCMH invites you to join us at the RESOLUTION:
HEALTH open house Wednesday, Jan. 31. The open house is from 4 to 6 p.m.
and will be held in MAB (Medical Arts Building) #2 at 1510 Columbus Ave.,
Washington Court House. Come out and join us for this free event.
Winter can be an enjoyable time of the year as long as we remember to take
precautions. Stay Healthy!