Stay Safe and Ahead of Winter Weather

2/12/2025

As snow and ice approach our area it’s important to stay ahead of your health and other safety elements of your home. Even a couple of inches of snow can prove harmful to our older population.

“Seniors and heart attacks are a very common problem with the first heavy snow,” said Jack Scott, Medical Director for the Emergency Room at Lutheran Hospital. “It’s tough to shovel snow, it’s a big stress on the heart. It’d be nice if you can hire a high school kid to do it, but you should always have someone watching you,” Scott added.

Meanwhile, as the temperatures drop, those who often use space heaters should heed these warnings from the Centers for Disease Control:

• Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements.
• Keep heat sources, like space heaters, at least 3 feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding, or other flammable materials. Never cover your space heater.
• Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
• Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
• Make sure that the cord of an electric space heater is not a tripping hazard, but do not run the cord under carpets or rugs.
• Avoid using extension cords to plug in your space heater.
• If your space heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, do not use it.

The snow and ice on the roadways can cause travel to be impacted but emergency services still navigate through those tough conditions. “If you don’t have to be out, please stay off the roads. We have EMS runs to make and it’s a lot less dangerous for those of us that have to be out on a medical run if there are fewer cars on the roadway,” said Tony Stimpson, educator coordinator and flight paramedic for Lutheran Hospital.

For more helpful winter weather tips, visit https://www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/safety/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html.

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