Health Care: For Those you Love, Tips to Prevent Injuries

Here is a seasonal look at everyday injury risks and the best ways to reduce the chances of being hurt. You can prevent injuries to yourself, and to those you love.

You may be pulling the toboggans and ice skates out of storage, or maybe the skis, snowboards and snowmobiles. Such everyday activities as walking and driving can become more treacherous in the snow and ice. Here's how to handle some common winter risks:

Wear the Gear

Helmets will protect your head from injury, whether you're skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or tobogganing.

Prevent frostbite or hypothermia by dressing in layers, beginning with a snug, inner layer, under a loose, warm insulating layer and finishing with a waterproof, windproof layer.

Snowmobilers who plan to drive over ice should wear buoyant snowmobile suits. It is very important for snowmobilers to learn how to measure ice thickness and determine whether or not it is safe to travel.

Take care when walking on ice.

Baby boomers end up in the emergency room most often for falls on ice but it's seniors who account for the longest hospital stays after a fall on ice.

Be sure to clean snow and ice from your walkways and sidewalks and apply sand or salt.

Get a good pair of boots with thick, non-slip soles.

Seniors may find that ice grippers for their boots and an ice pick on their canes can help them grip hard–packed snow and ice — be sure to remove the grippers before walking on smooth surfaces.

Canadian Health Network – January 2007
www.canadian-health-network.ca

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