To the editor:
Since the winter is almost upon us, here are some helpful cold weather safety tips from the Brown County Health Department.
Make a winter survival kit for your home:
- food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, like bread, crackers, canned foods, dried fruit, granola bars, pop-tarts, candy bars
- water stored in clean containers — 5 gallons per person
- medicines you may need
- flashlight with extra batteries
- battery-powered radio
- power pack so you can recharge your cellphone without electricity
- hand warmers
- extra blankets
AND make another emergency kit for your car:
- blankets
- booster cables
- tool kit
- container of water
- flashlight with extra batteries
- snacks like peanut butter crackers, candy bars, packets of food that don’t need refrigeration, like vienna sausages, tuna in pouches, popcorn
- extra gloves
- extra socks (in case your feet get wet)
- collapsible shovel
- tow rope
- bag of sand or kitty litter (to use for traction on ice or snow)
- first aid kit
If you are over 65, check the temperature of your home more frequently. Older adults make less body heat and are more prone to developing hypothermia. Shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech are some of the symptoms of hypothermia. Check on your elderly neighbors!
Leave all taps open slightly in very cold temperatures. A continuous drip or pencil lead-size stream of water is sufficient. Open doors on any cabinets that have plumbing.
If you do have to go outside, wear a hat, gloves, several layers of clothing, a scarf and water-resistant shoes or boots. Don’t ignore shivering; it’s a sign that you are losing body heat.
For more helpful tips, see cdc.gov/disasters/winter/index.html.
Jennifer Heller, environmental health specialist, Brown County Health Department
