Stay Healthy, New Rochelle: Tips for Snow

With winter’s first local snow storm on its way, emergency departments in Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties are gearing up for what could be higher than normal volumes of patients that often accompany winter storms.

SEE: HV Storm Update

“Winter is a busy time for hospital emergency departments with car accidents, hypothermia, slip and falls, cardiac incidents and other accidents that accompany the snow,’’ said Dr. Ron Nutovits, Chairman of Emergency Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital.

Dr. Nutovits said that people need to use caution to prevent such accidents. Snow shoveling is a major culprit when it comes to triggering heart attacks. Heavy snow makes for tougher than usual shoveling and people unused to the exertion of heavy lifting can run into trouble. This is coupled with the fact that the cold can boost blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control an average of 11,000 adults and children end up in the hospital every year due to snow shoveling accidents.

Those using snow blowers to clear snow should also use caution as hand injuries are common. The majority of injuries with snow blowers are caused when people try to clear clogs in the exit chute without turning off the machine.

Another winter safety issue is hypothermia, which is a loss of body heat that dangerously lowers body temperature. Children and older adults are more prone to hypothermia.

“Keeping warm is especially important when the temperatures drop so low,’’ said Dr. Nutovits. “Limit the amount of time spent outdoors, but if you must go out, dress in layers and wear a hat.”

Slips and falls are among some of the other more frequently seen injuries in emergency rooms this time of year, said Dr. Nutovits. This can result in hip and wrist fractures. Wearing proper shoes and making sure that walkways and steps are cleared and salted are the best way to avoid injuries.

Dr. Nutovits suggested some of these winter tips:

For shoveling:

• Warm up your muscles before starting.
• Shovel many light loads instead of fewer heavy ones.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Head indoors right away if your chest starts hurting, you feel lightheaded or short of breath, your heart starts racing, or some other physical change makes you nervous. If you think you are having a heart attack call 911

For using snow blowers:

• Turn off the machine
• Wait for a minute to give the blades time to stop rotating
• Keep your hands clear of the exit chute and blades
• NEVER use your hands to clear the snow - use a stick to clear the clogged chute