Slip Sliding . . . No Way!
by Professional Home Nursing
With cold weather upon us, it is time to prepare for all
that winter has to throw at us (ice, cold, and of course, snow).
With everything you do, think “safety first.” Whether working
at heating your home, shoveling snow, or just enjoying the great
outdoors, we should all be conscious of keeping our bodies
healthy.
If you heat your home with wood, coal, or pellets, you can
reduce the strain on your body by decreasing your work load. Use
both hands and good body mechanics when lifting. Bend using
your legs, not your back. Consider using a scoop or small bucket
to load the pellet or coal stoves and carry fewer logs at a time
when filling your wood stove.
When shoveling, do not overload the shovel, especially
when the snow is wet and heavy. Empty the shovel frequently or
push the snow when you can. By doing frequent heavy lifting,
it places a strain on muscles and joints that can cause fatigue
increasing your risk for injury. Consider stretching your back
before, during and after physical or strenuous activity.
Protect your skin from the cold, especially if you have
any medical condition that may compromise circulation. The
most vulnerable areas are your hands, feet, ears and nose. Dress
appropriately for the weather conditions. If you have breathing
difficulties, cover your face with a scarf or mask.
Unfortunately, with winter weather comes icy driveways,
roads and walkways. A variety of ice grippers for your footwear are
available. One can also improve traction by using non-clumping
kitty litter. Sprinkle the litter onto the icy ground for walking or
keep a container of litter in your car. This has kept our employees
from being stranded on ice and just a sprinkle of litter behind car
tires allows for good traction.
Despite the potential hazards of winter, remember to
enjoy the beauty of the season. When the sun is shining, the trees
may glisten like a magical wonderland. Whether it’s a blanket of
new fallen snow covering the open fields or icicles on the forest
trees, Northern Maine is scenic in winter. Be safe and enjoy this
beautiful season.
70
WINTER 2013