Blizzards dump snow, blow it with fury and make life outside dangerous.
But some people are throwing caution to the wind, trying to move freely during the teeth of such storms.
It would be a mistake this Christmas weekend.
“Staying indoors is obvious, but it can’t be stressed enough,” said Dr. David Holmes, a family physician and wilderness medicine expert who directs the University of Washington’s Global Health Education Program. Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Holmes, clinical associate professor of family medicine at the Jacobs School, leads UB medical students on relief trips to remote parts of the world.
Older adults and young children are more sensitive to temperature changes in freezing temperatures, can lose body heat faster than others, and are more vulnerable to hypothermia, he said.
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Holmes understands firsthand the inconvenience the blizzard is causing families in the area. Three of her four children, who live out west, are stuck in airports across the country trying to get back to Buffalo for Christmas.
He refuses to let his disappointment turn into frustration
“Getting together for the holidays this year will be even more special, but it will be a lot harder to do,” he said. “We can have Christmas any day, it doesn’t have to be the 25th.”
He too plans to let the snow sit in the driveway.
Holmes shared more tips for weathering this blizzard in the safest and healthiest way possible.
The gates were closed Friday at the Highway 219 entrance to Springville.
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
“The National Institute on Aging has good recommendations for older adults that apply equally to all age groups,” he said.
• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees or higher, assuming you have power. Lower indoor temperatures can, over time, create cold conditions that increase the risk of hypothermia. Those concerned about the cost can call the National Energy Assistance Referral service at 866-674-6327 to see if they can help cover the cost.
• Close unused parts.
• Keep the basement door closed.
• Keep blinds and curtains closed to reduce heat loss through windows. If there are gaps around windows, use weatherstripping or caulking to keep cold air out.
• Place towels or rags in cracks under doors to prevent drafts.
• Stay in south-facing rooms.
Holmes recommends people dress warmly, even indoors, with layers of loose, light, warm clothing that can be removed in case of overheating.
“Wear socks and slippers,” he said. “When he goes to sleep, he wears long underwear and uses extra blankets.”
He recommends eating enough food, which helps provide energy and warmth to the body, and he consumes water and soft drinks to avoid hydration in cold, dry weather.
“Alcoholic beverages can lead to loss of body heat,” Holmes said.
He advised the following for those who have to go outside, adding that it should generally be limited to medical, public safety and utility teams.
Group up in layers. Wear a warm hat that covers your ears and warm woolen mittens, which keep your hands warmer than gloves.
• “Consider wearing a Covid-19 face mask outside as it reduces the loss of warm air from the mouth and nose,” he said, and consider wearing a scarf around your neck and chest. face so that only the eyes are exposed.
Even when dressed warmly, frostbite can develop within half an hour in wind chill temperatures of minus 19 degrees. It takes as little as 10 minutes when the wind chill drops to minus-45, Holmes said.
It can be helpful to check outdoor vents if snow piles are high enough to cover, Holmes said, but they should be cleared quickly in such cases.
“We tolerate fevers better than we tolerate being too cold,” he said. “With a fever, you can just take Tylenol or something, but when your body temperature is low, the only thing you can do is warm up.”
Holmes encouraged people to check in with family or friends during the storm.
He recommends that those concerned that someone close to their household has become ill, or if they themselves are ill, contact their primary care provider by phone or through the patient portal.
These types of connections, or a telehealth visit, are the best options for those seeking relief from illness during the storm, Holmes said, but he recommends those with symptoms of a serious illness to call 911 for an ambulance or ask for someone with a four wheeler. drive a vehicle for a trip.
“If someone is on home dialysis and/or oxygen, it’s important to have a backup generator in case the power goes out,” Holmes said. “It is also important that people on oxygen have a backup oxygen tank that does not require electricity to operate. They must register in advance with the electricity company in order to have priority in the restoration of service. »
If a power outage persists beyond two or three days and the shortness of breath increases, that person should be taken to the nearest emergency room, he said.
Security teams train and are prepared to work in blizzard conditions to better respond to emergencies.
The best way others can help is to stay indoors until conditions improve and travel bans are lifted.
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