Winter can be a dangerous time of year, with extreme weather that can turn daily activities into hazards. Simply going for a walk during the winter puts one at risk for slips and falls, which can be especially damaging for the elderly.
With January now making its entrance after a particularly snowy December, it’s a good time to review personal safety tips for the cold season. We’ve all heard plenty of warnings about staying off thin ice while enjoying winter sports, or taking care on the roads during ice and snow, driving slowly and leaving plenty of space.
What’s less well-publicized are the dangers right at home.
Local firefighters have been reminding everyone that it’s important to clear all entryways of snow so that emergency personnel can access the home if they are called. Stairs covered in snow and ice, and doors blocked in by piles of the stuff, are an impediment to rescue workers ”“ one that can delay them from helping to save your life or the life of a family member. And while water company workers are technically responsible for clearing the way to the nearest fire hydrant, homeowners who have one nearby can help ensure that crews will have access to water should a fire occur nearby before the water crews can get to it.
It’s also important to make paths to oil tank spouts, mailboxes and manually read power boxes so those who service these don’t have to trudge through piles of snow.
Clearing exhaust ports for any heating systems in the home is one of the most important tasks after a snowstorm, since blocked exhausts can lead to built-up carbon monoxide, a gas often called the “silent killer.” Power outages are common in New England when the ice and heavy snow take down trees and power lines, and while generators are convenient sources of heat, they can be deadly if misused.
Already this winter, there has been one carbon-monoxide death involving a generator, as a 50-year-old Knox man died during the recent ice storm while refueling his unit ”“ which was in the garage.
Though his death is one too many, it’s probable that more people will succumb to CO poisoning before the end of the winter due to improper ventilation when using heaters, small engine appliances such as snowblowers, or even vehicles. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 400 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., and 100 people in Maine are poisoned each year, feeling symptoms such as nausea, headache, blurred vision and dizziness.
Generators must be left outside in the open air ”“ at least 15 feet from the home and not under a carport ”“ and vehicles should not be “warmed up” in a closed garage or when the tailpipe is buried in the snow. Vigilance is key to avoid walking into a toxic atmosphere of an enclosed space that is filling with CO, since even previously cleared vents can be blocked unexpectedly by snow drifts in the winter wind.
Along with CO poisoning, fire danger is increased in the home during the winter, particularly if people are burning wood in chimneys that have not been cleaned recently or are using space heaters improperly.
Feeling safe in your own home is paramount, so we encourage all of our readers to take heed of emergency officials’ warnings about carbon monoxide, fire and snow clearing to avoid any tragedies this winter.
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