Winter Survival Guide 2015

WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE! To help you get through the ice and snow season.

A publication of the Sullivan County Democrat

JANUARY 2015

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WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015

Keeping seniors safe in the winter

ith dangerously cold temperatures here and in the forecast, Home Instead Senior Care says now is the time for seniors and their loved ones to brush up on cold weather safety tips.

“Winter can be a difficult time, as the harsh conditions especially impact seniors,” said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead, Inc. “We want to make sure seniors and their loved ones are aware of simple ways they can stay safe and warm throughout the season.”

Those over the age of 65 account for nearly half of all hypothermia deaths.

As the body ages, the ability to maintain a normal internal body temperature decreases, creating an insensitivity to moderately cold temperatures. Seniors may not realize they are putting themselves at risk until symptoms appear. Symptoms of hypothermia include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. If symptoms are present, immediate medical atten-

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tion is necessary.

The leading reason for hypothermia in the elderly is due to poorly heated homes, which is entirely preventable. Follow these simple tips to ensure a warm household.

STAY WARM

•

Keep the thermostat at 65 degrees, at least. Consistently check it to make sure your home is sufficiently warm. Even as heating costs rise, your safety should be a priority.

Put a carbon monoxide detector near where you sleep.

Ensure that there is adequate insulation, and check and clean the fireplace and furnace. Furnace filters should be replaced monthly.

Minimize drafts by filling old socks with sand and using them in drafty windowsills and door jams.

Weather-strip around windows and doors. Keep doors to unused rooms closed and close curtains at night.

Add an extra blanket to the bed and warm the bed in advance with a

• • •

•

hot water bottle. Never use an electric blanket – it may be difficult to operate the controls if the temperature needs to be adjusted in the night.

Dress in layers of loose fitting clothing. If you go outside, make sure your head is covered.

Every year, more than 1.6 million seniors end up in the emergency room because of a fall. With icy conditions, the chances of falling are even greater.

•

PREVENTING FALLS

•

Take a couple minutes per day and stretch your limbs in order to loosen muscles.

Stay inside – make arrangements for someone to shovel and salt driveways and walkways. Professional caregivers can assist with to-do items, such as bringing in the mail and/or picking up groceries.

Wear shoes or boots with a nonskid sole.

Have handrails installed on out-

•

• •

side walls for frequently used walkways.

If you use a cane or walker, check the rubber tips to make sure they are not worn smooth.

Winter weather can take a toll on everyone, especially seniors.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can occur in seniors and impact their emotional health. Some signs to watch for with SAD include: a loss of energy, an increased appetite and an enhanced feeling of lethargy and tiredness. If symptoms are present, talk to your medical provider about treatment options.

Additionally, winter storms can be unpredictable. It is important to be prepared in case of an emergency.

•

BUILD A NETWORK

•

Stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors. Schedule phone calls, or enlist the help of a professional caregiver to come in for an hour a week.

Make arrangements for assistance in case of a blizzard or power outage. Keep important numbers in an emergency kit, along with nonperishable foods, water and medications.

•

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WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE

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JANUARY, 2015

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for Business & Home Safety offer the following tips when people are checking their home or car for damage caused by a winter storm.

If your home has sustained serious structural damage from snow collapse or falling tree limbs, be extremely cautious about entering the home. Debris may be hazardous and the structure could be unstable.

Make temporary repairs to protect undamaged property. Save receipts for purchases on repairs until it is determined what expenses your insurance company may reimburse for as part of your homeowners policy.

Avoid using sharp tools or ice picks to clear gutters or downspouts – they can potentially cause more damage to your property.

Avoid injuring yourself. Don’t get on the roof, work on a ladder or work

beneath a roof that has accumulated large amounts of snow. There is a danger of falling icicles or avalanching snow.

Review your auto policy to determine whether you have coverage for falling objects or collisions. Contact your agent or insurance company with any questions.

Watch inside your home for unexpected water leaks on walls or ceilings. Ice build-up in eaves and gutters following heavy snows can prevent drainage, causing water from melting roof snow to seep under shingles or tiles and into the home. If you suspect damage caused by “ice damming� call your insurance company.

Report possible claims to your insurance company promptly. Have policy numbers ready when you call.

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WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

Where the rubber all-season tires are meets Think good enough in winter? the road Think again

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et’s start with all-season tires.

The name does not describe how this tire really performs.

These tires are only recommended for three seasons: spring, summer and fall.

They are designed to be practical in most any condition and to last a very long time. They have specialized grooves and ridges to wick away rain water and enough grip to get you going on every road. They also are designed for maximum noise reduction while driving at high speeds.

All-season tires go best with a set of designated winter tires because deep snow and sheer ice are not friends of these tires. They will get you out of a freak snow storm, but if used all winter, they will potentially make your winter long and treacherous.

When it comes to heavy snow or tough off-road terrain, they don’t match up to more specialized tires.

All-seasons are designed to work in temperatures above 7°C (44.6° F).

Once the temperature goes below that, the rubber compound tends to become too hard to grip dry or wet pavement and as a result, braking and handling become less

effective; a very dangerous situation.

Winter-use (snow) tires are made for cold weather and heavy snow.

They are made from softer rubber that heats up while driving in the cold for improved grip on snow and ice.

They will also have thicker tread patterns that will help “bite” the snow better while driving. These also come in studded models for extreme weather conditions. It is highly recommended to get a set of winter-use tires for the winter months and store them during the summer months so they last longer.

Also available are all-weather tires, true four-season tire. It is marked with the severe service emblem for winter conditions, just like a winter tire, but it can stay on your vehicle all year round. These are great for people who do not want to have to deal with winter to summer changeovers every season. Put them on and leave them on.

Engineers have designed the tread pattern, along with the high tech compounds to handle snow, slush, rain, and sun; they can handle all that Mother Nature can throw at you and keep going.

“But I have all-wheel drive, so it shouldn’t matter what type of tire I have.” Wrong! All-wheel drive only helps you accelerate easier in thick snow and rain, it doesn’t help you turn or, more importantly, stop.

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WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015

Propane heat: safety and precautions W ith extremely cold winter weather, New Yorkers need to be prepared for the frigid temperatures. If your home or business uses propane to generate heat or run appliances, the New York Propane Gas Association provides these tips to keep your family safe and warm.

that your appliances are running as efficiently as possible, conserving fuel and saving dollars.

Mark the location of your tank

with a flag, pole, or stake. The marker should be higher than the average snow cover depth for your location.

It will help you avoid plowing or

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Make sure you have an adequate propane supply. During and after a winter storm, roads may be inaccessible for delivery. It is recommended that you establish a regular delivery schedule with your propane retailer.

Make sure your heating system and appliances are running efficiently. Have a qualified service technician annually inspect and service your appliances and propane system. This will ensure

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WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

goes through walls, floors and ceilings.

STAY SAFE:

shoveling rooftop snow on top of your tank. Should your tank become covered with snow, use a broom to clear it.

Check your chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and propane tank for damage, blockage, or debris caused by snow and ice. Use a broom rather than a shovel, and clear these areas frequently. This will help reduce the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning due to blocked or damaged chimneys, flues, and vents.

Use extreme caution when operating portable generators. Never use a portable generator (gasoline, diesel, or propane) indoors or in enclosed areas. This can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death.

Never use a stove for space heating and never use outdoor propane appliances indoors or in enclosed areas. Proper ventilation is necessary for their safe operation; and carbon monoxide fumes emitted can be lethal. Only use appliances indoors that are designed and approved for indoor use.

KEEP WARM: Check caulking around doors and windows.

Get storm windows in place and secure.

Check insulation in the attic and basements.

Seal air leaks around openings where plumbing or electrical wiring

Take immediate action if you smell gas inside or outside of your home or business. Follow these simple instructions: No flames or sparks! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate or turn on or off lights, appliances, telephones or cell phones.

Leave the area immediately! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.

Shut off the gas. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).

Report the leak. From a neighbor’s home or other building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.

Do not return to the building or area until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.

Get your system checked. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

The New York Propane Gas Association also offers an interactive online safety module for winter preparedness at www.propanesafety.com/ winterstorm-preparedness.

Propane users can find more safety tips online www.nypropane.com and www.propanesafety.com.

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