{"id":140214,"date":"2010-01-05T10:00:16","date_gmt":"2010-01-05T15:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chicagopressrelease.com\/?p=9312"},"modified":"2010-01-05T10:00:16","modified_gmt":"2010-01-05T15:00:16","slug":"as-frigid-temperatures-continue-physicians-remind-chicagoans-to-take-extra-precaution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/140214","title":{"rendered":"As Frigid Temperatures Continue, Physicians Remind Chicagoans to Take Extra Precaution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Northwestern Expert Offers Tips for Cold Weather Safety <\/em><\/h3>\n

\"\"As the snow continues to fall, many Chicagoans will head outdoors to enjoy the activities of the season.<\/p>\n

While the winter months can bring great fun, experts caution that as the snow drops, so do the temperatures, which can pose a serious safety threat if you are not prepared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe typically see an influx of patients during cold spells,\u201d said Rahul Khare, MD, emergency room physician and assistant director of operations for the emergency department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCases of hypothermia, as well as bumps, bruises and sprains from slips and falls are all very common this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n

To ensure a safe and healthy season, Khare recommends the following tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beware of Slippery Conditions<\/strong>: Icy conditions cause many slips and falls. Wear well-insulated boots with good traction on the bottom. Walk on shoveled sidewalks when possible. Take slower, shorter steps to reduce your chance of falling.<\/p>\n

Watch for Falling Ice<\/strong>: Icicles build very quickly and can be dangerous for pedestrians. Pay attention to signs for falling ice and be aware of your surroundings as you walk near tall buildings.<\/p>\n

Bundle Up<\/strong>: Walking in a winter wonderland won\u2019t be so wonderful if you aren\u2019t prepared for the weather. Dress appropriately before going outdoors and avoid being outside for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather. Dress warm by layering clothing and be sure to wear a hat, scarf and gloves, covering all areas of exposed skin.<\/p>\n

Know Warning Signs<\/strong>: Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common-cold related problems are frostbite and hypothermia. If you experience these symptoms seek medical attention immediately.<\/p>\n

Frostbite Warning Signs: <\/em>White or grayish-yellow skin, numbness and skin that feels firm or waxy<\/p>\n

Hypothermia Warning Signs: <\/em>(In infants) bright red and cold skin, and very low energy; (In adults) shivering, drowsiness or exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech<\/p>\n

Check on Elderly Neighbors and Relatives<\/strong>: Cold weather can put the elderly at higher risk for health problems, not to mention restricting them to their homes due to inclement weather. When sub-zero temperatures set in, be sure to check on elderly neighbors and relatives to ensure they have the food and other items they need on hand, and that their home is adequately heated.<\/p>\n

Eat and Drink Wisely<\/strong>: Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages can cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Drink warm sweet beverages or broth to maintain body temperature.<\/p>\n

Prepare Your Home<\/strong>: More home fires occur during the winter months than any other time of year. Take safety precautions by having your furnace checked, your chimney inspected and proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.<\/p>\n

Shoveling Snow<\/strong>: While snow shoveling can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous. Each year thousands of people are treated in emergency departments across the United States for heart attacks, strained muscles and other injuries related to snow shoveling. Pace yourself and don\u2019t work to the point of exhaustion. If you have a history of back or heart problems, have someone else shovel for you.<\/p>\n

Travel Safe<\/strong>: Be sure to check the weather forecast before you hit the roads this winter. It\u2019s also a good idea to pack a winter weather emergency kit in your car, complete with extra clothing and blankets, a shovel, sand (or cat litter) for traction and non-perishable snacks and water.<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking preventive action is your best defense against cold weather related injuries and illnesses,\u201d said Khare.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimple precautions can offer peace of mind and keep you safe this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Northwestern Expert Offers Tips for Cold Weather Safety As the snow continues to fall, many Chicagoans will head outdoors to enjoy the activities of the season. While the winter months can bring great fun, experts caution that as the snow drops, so do the temperatures, which can pose a serious safety threat if you are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-140214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140214\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=140214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}