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Want to stay safe this winter? During the colder months, there are a number of unique health hazards that you need to be wary of. This post lists some of the biggest winter dangers and what you can do to protect yourself from them.
Road accidents
In the winter, the weather conditions can increase the risk of road accidents. Such accidents can result in all kinds of injuries. Preparing your vehicle for these weather conditions and making an effort to drive carefully can reduce the risk of getting into such an accident.
Rain is typically more common in winter. When it comes to driving in the rain, it’s important to make sure that your windscreen wipers are working properly. Driving with worn windscreen wipers could be a real danger in torrential rain – it could be worth replacing these. It’s also important to prepare for slippery road conditions.
The ice and snow is also a big danger. It’s important to slow your driving when the roads are icy or snowy to reduce the risk of skidding and crashing. Winter tires could help to give your car more grip in these conditions – if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow and ice in winter, consider investing in some of these tires. Auto accidents on icy roads can also be caused by other drivers so make sure to be extra alert of what other vehicles are doing.
Poor visibility due to fog and reduced daylight hours can be a danger too. Make sure that your headlights are working properly in the winter – if your bulbs are looking a little dim, it could be worth changing them now so that they don’t blow while you’re driving.
Slips and falls
The winter weather can also increase the risk of injuries from slips and falls. Sidewalks can become more icy, so it’s important to watch your footing.
Wearing shoes with good grip can prevent you from falling. A lot of people injure themselves by falling on their driveway or on steps outside their home – consider buying some grit to put outside your home to help melt some of the snow and ice.
Colds and flus
There’s a greater risk of contracting colds and flus in the winter. This is because people spend more time indoors during these months, which allows viruses to more easily pass from one person to another.
A lot of the measures used to prevent the spread of Covid-19 can also be used to prevent the spread of colds and flus. This includes things like regularly washing your hands or wearing a mask. If you want to avoid getting the flu, you can also consider getting a flu shot in the winter.
It’s also worth taking measures to strengthen your immune system in winter. Consuming lots of vitamins and minerals, staying active and getting a good amount of sleep can help to boost your immune system.
Frostbite
Frostbite is an injury caused by exposure to cold air which can lead to freezing of the skin. Frostbite can be treated in its early stages, but if left too long it may be untreatable and the affected part may have to be amputated.
Many people assume that frostbite only affects mountain climbers and arctic explorers, but it can affect anyone who is outdoors for too long. When the temperature is below zero, it’s important to limit time spent outside and to wrap up in warm clothing whenever you venture outside. Make sure that you know the signs of frostnip (the early signs of frostbite) – stiffness, numbness and discoloration are all early warning signs to look out for.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops beneath 95 F (35 C). Normal body temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). When the body gets too cold, the organs fail to function properly. If not treated, it can be fatal.
A person is likely to be experiencing hypothermia if they cannot stop shivering and are showing signs of drowsiness or confusion. The best treatment is to get out of the cold and into the warm. Get rid of any wet clothing and use blankets to provide warmth.
You can avoid hypothermia altogether by wrapping up warm in cold weather and limiting time spent outdoors. Cold water can be a big cause of hypothermia – avoid wearing wet clothing in the cold and be very careful of swimming in very cold water.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
In the winter, you’re more likely to have your home’s heating running for long periods. It’s important to check that your heating is working properly – especially if it’s an old gas heater. A gas leak could result in carbon monoxide poisoning, which in many cases is fatal.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is pretty much undetectable unless you have a carbon monoxide monitor installed in your home. All homes with gas heating or gas appliances, must have one of these monitors installed. It’s important to check that this monitor is working by testing it regularly and replacing batteries.
There are a few telltale signs of carbon monoxide poisoning that are worth looking out for. These include a headache, unexplained nausea, dizziness, chest pain and confusion. If you have a working carbon monoxide monitor, this should make an alarm sound. Open all windows and get out of the house as soon as possible if you suspect there may be a carbon monoxide leak.
Mold poisoning
Mold can be a danger all year round. This fungus thrives in warm and damp conditions. Because of this, people tend to think that it’s more of a problem in summer, however in winter mold growth indoors can also be an issue due to reduce ventilations and regular heating usage.
You’re likely to notice mold on your walls although sometimes it can grow in hidden places such as behind furniture or in cupboards. If there are high level of mold in the air, you may notice that your eyes and nose get itchy and that you start to become wheezy. Too much mold exposure could lead to aspergillosis, which may cause mold to grow in the lungs.
Take measures to fight mold growth in your home by keeping your home ventilated – you can do this by opening windows and using extractor fans. There are anti-mold sprays you can use to kill mold.
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