Watch Out for Winter Weather Injuries
Posted by: Michael Neff
February 10, 2010
Topic: Safety Tips
Many parts of the nation are being blanketed by a thick cover of snow. There is a kind of magic about snow (especially for those of us in the South). However, snow and ice can also lead to serious injuries (especially for those of us in the South). As they say, it's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt.
Last week a woman in Utah sued the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and the Utah Skeleton and Bobsled Association after she was injured by a bobsled rider. Holly Ball says she was volunteering at the bobsled park and helping a rider from his sled when another rider crashed into her, causing significant injuries. Ball claims that the rider who crashed into her was given clearance from members of the aforementioned organizations. However, Ball was never notified that another sled was sliding toward her.
Yes, bobsleds can be dangerous, but there are more dangerous vehicles . As roads ice over, the number of automobile accidents rises. If you don't have to drive in the snow, then don't. If you must drive in the snow, . Winterize your vehicle before you drive; make sure the antifreeze is fresh, and use snow tires if you have them. If you're driving in rural areas, take a winter driving kit with you and include a scraper, jumper cables, a bag of sand (for traction), road flares, and a flashlight. Make sure you have plenty of gas in the tank, drive slowly, and be sure to take your cell phone with you when driving in winter weather. In Georgia, many drivers do not have experience driving in snow, and those who attempt to drive too fast may cause accidents and injuries. If you're injured in an auto accident, call an experienced Georgia auto accident attorney immediately.
Even when you're not driving, winter weather can cause injuries. After all, ice is slippery. If you cannot eliminate ice from walkways around your home and business, be sure to warn others about the ice. Warn children to stay away from ponds and swimming pools that are iced over. Children may want to slide across the ice, but the ice may not hold them. Also tell children about sled safety, and tell them that they should never ride a sled pulled by a motor vehicle.
Watch out for frostbite, which most often affects fingers, toes, ear lobes, and noses. Frostbite can cause loss of feeling and loss of color in the affected area. Severe frostbite causes tissue death that may necessitate amputation. If you see signs of frostbite, get the individual to a warm place immediately. Try to keep your clothes dry when you're outdoors in winter weather. Keep a change of clothes with you when traveling. Be sure to cover your head, neck, mouth, and nose in extremely cold weather.
Fires cause many injuries and deaths during the winter, too. Have chimneys and fireplaces inspected and cleaned regularly (at least once a season). Keep children and objects away from open flames. If you have a fireplace in your home or office, place a screen in front of the flames, and make sure you have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Never use outdoor heaters inside your home, and never use a gas oven to heat your home; this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have any fuel-burning appliances in your home, consider investing in a carbon monoxide detector.
Stay warm, and stay safe!
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Watch Out for Winter Weather Injuries
