By Chief Scott A. Singer
As this New Year begins, I would like to thank all those folks finding my scribblings and musings marginally interesting. I also would like to thank the Piedmont-Surrey Gazette for publishing these thoughts as it gives a platform for concerns that I feel all of us share at one time or another in this ever-changing world.
Now to the meat of this week’s offering, winter hazards and being prepared for the unexpected rigors of the ever-changing weather. The hazards of the weather have been featured in many news and weather related stories in recent weeks. Hazards typically found this time of year include, but aren’t limited to: falls, being caught in winter storms without proper sustaining mechanisms, ensuring that your vehicle or vehicles are prepared for harsh temperatures, and ensuring you have prepared some plan for family and others to keep watch over each other – especially when traveling.
There’s real danger during cold weather!
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year about 2,000 persons die as a result of extreme weather conditions – primarily heat and cold. Interestingly enough, 63% of these deaths are related to “excessive natural cold.” The CDC points out that many cold weather related deaths have regional attachments considering that the majority of the coldest and most severe weather is commonly found in the northern and north-eastern areas of the country and therefore the greatest number of cold related deaths and injuries come from those regions. However, this doesn’t let the remainder of the country off the hook. I think we can all relate that within the last few weeks, temperatures have fluctuated with highs in the sixties and seventies, to lows in the teens. Additionally, Oklahoma being a more open area is subject to winds that frequently approach high double-digit figures, thereby lowering the temperature and increasing the likelihood of sub-freezing thermal injuries or deaths.
The Six “Ps”
As with virtually any event in life, incorporating the “Six Ps” helps to ensure success and safety in whatever endeavor you’re attempting. What are the “Six Ps” you may ask? And, I would answer that I learned of the Six Ps at an early age while in military school – don’t bother to wonder about why a young lad of such stellar character would be in military school, it’s irrelevant at this point in time. The “Six Ps” are simply – and I will paraphrase these for the faint of heart – “Prior Planning Prevents Pretty Poor Performance” – or something vaguely similar to these words. When, where, and by whom this concept was penned or spoken is unknown, but suffice it to say that when considering most any task, they apply. And, I find that given a certain set of circumstances, common sense will dictate the majority of the required needs. All we must do is be contemplative and not precipitous in delving into any particular effort. For the purposes of this writing, we’ll focus on being outside while in inclement weather. In this case, cold or freezing temperatures will be the issue. We can leave at home issues for a later time.
Before we get started, let’s talk about the two most common winter weather, potentially life-threatening conditions. Those are hypothermia (sub-normal body temperatures) and frost-bite (an injury caused by freezing temperatures primarily on the extremities). The signs of hypothermia can include, but aren’t limited to:
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Shivering;
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Exhaustion or tiredness;
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Confusion;
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Loss of memory;
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Loss of manual dexterity; and
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Slurred speech.
According to the CDC, the most “at risk” persons are:
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Older adults, lacking sufficient clothing, food, heating and have circulatory issues
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Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms.
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Persons who for whatever reason remain outdoors for extended periods of time without sufficient shelter, clothing, or food; and
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Those folks choosing to use illicit drugs and alcohol which impairs their ability to recognize they are in trouble.
Frostbite on the other hand primarily affects exposed or under insulated areas of the body and is caused by prolonged exposure to the cold. Some warning signs that certain parts of your body – primarily the extremities – are being frostbitten are:
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Numbness to extremities, face, or any exposed area.
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Skin changing colors from pink or red to white or grayish and appearing waxy or swollen.
Stepping Out!
Now, since we are primarily speaking about children and adults, old enough to venture outside, their preparation begins with clothing. Prior to leaving for anywhere during excessive winter conditions, it’s best to begin our preparations with our dressing for the occasion. According to “redcross.org,” If going outdoors:
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Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and head covering. Outer clothing should be of tightly woven fabric and have some measure of moisture repelling ability.
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“Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air.”
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“Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
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As much as possible, keep dry; as wet clothing tends to take heat away from the body.
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Minimize the amount of exposed skin with layers of heat-retaining material.
Once dressed for the outdoors, remember to tread carefully as many folks, being properly bundled against the cold, move about outside, many succumb to falls – some of which can be life-threatening due to head trauma or the inability to rise and seek aid. Last, in this day and time, most all of us carry a cell phone. Before going out, ensure your phone is fully charged and contacts for emergencies and family are updated. Additionally, you may wish to add into your phone’s note system lists of medications you currently take, pre-existing medical conditions, your personal physician’s name and contact number, and the name and contact number of a family member with medical decision making authority.
Winter Proofing Your Ride!
I’ll end this message with some simple rules for preparing your vehicle for winter weather, and for preparing yourself for the possibility of being stranded. Where your car is concerned, ensuring your car is in proper cold weather operating condition could mean a trip to your local mechanic. Check oil, anti-freeze, heating systems, and tire condition. Then, while sometimes difficult due to weather or fuel costs, inasmuch as possible, keep your gas tank topped off. You may never know when the extra fuel, will allow you to power your cars heater intermittently while stranded, until help can arrive.
Speaking of waiting for help to arrive, State Farm Insurance, the Red Cross, and a plethora of safety organizations recommend preparing and keeping an emergency kit in your car. Such kits should include at the minimum:
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Food and water
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Extra clothing – both under and outer
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Matches or other fire-starting devices
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Shovel, rock salt or kitty litter, shoe and tire gripper attachments for ice or deep snow
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Signaling items such as brightly colored cloth, flashlights, signaling mirrors, communication devises with extra batteries
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Extra blankets, heat-retention coverings, and items that may be used for a shelter.
Once gathered, place these items in some form of container that will protect and organize your gear for ease of finding what you need, when you need it!
For more information about a wide variety of survival equipment and their uses, go on-line to “YouTube,” or to websites such as “redcross.org,” “oklahoma.gov,” and any number of other sites dedicated to seeing you through a harsh winter.
Until next time, consider this – The time and effort you take to prepare yourself to prevent tragedy is often minimal and will only take a short period of time when juxtaposed with a life time of grief for you or your loved ones.
