According to the American Red Cross, hundreds of people are injured every year due to cold exposure, vehicle crashes and fires caused by winter storms.
While San Antonio isn’t known for frigid winters, February 2021 was a stark reminder of how harsh the cold can get. With a -8°F windchill and four separate calendar days with measurable snow, that historic winter storm taught a valuable lesson in winter preparedness.
Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe during cold weather.
How to Safely Use a Generator
During the 2021 storm, more than 346,000 people in San Antonio were without power at one point, according to KENS5.
A portable emergency generator could provide you with the power and heat you need until the grid returns to normal.
If you buy a portable generator for your home, remember NEVER to run it inside the house or an enclosed garage. Generators produce carbon monoxide gases, which can be deadly.
Generator Safety Tips
- Never run the generator in your house or any enclosed space, including your garage.
- Keep the generator running at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Point the exhaust fumes away from your home.
- Don’t run the generator in the rain.
- Keep extra fuel on hand.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
When the power goes out during cold weather, emergency responders see a spike in carbon monoxide-related illness and deaths. This is mainly due to people using outdoor appliances, such as grills, to generate heat indoors.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and replace batteries at least once a year.
- Never use a gas grill, oven or other gas-fueled heat source to heat your home.
- If you need to run your car to stay warm or charge a device, move your car outside first.
- Check for ice and snow covering your car’s tailpipe before starting the car.
- Never run your car in a garage or other enclosed space.
- Don’t burn anything in a fireplace other than firewood or other materials labeled safe for use indoors.
- If using an indoor fireplace, make sure the flue is open and the chimney is cleared of debris, including snow and ice.
You can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, so prevention is the only way to avoid poisoning. By the time you notice symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, it may already be too late.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Dull headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
If you notice any of these symptoms or think you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, move outside or to a well-ventilated area and call 911 immediately. Treatment may include the use of a hyperbaric chamber to deliver pure oxygen to your body.
Working in Cold Weather
People who work outside in cold weather or in artificially cold environments (like commercial freezers), risk injuries that may permanently damage their skin or nerves. This might include police officers, construction workers, farmers and sanitation workers. They are at a higher risk of developing hypothermia and frostbite.
OSHA Tips for Cold Weather
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has tips for working in cold weather. OSHA recommends:
- Dressing in at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing, plus gloves and a hat
- Recognizing and addressing signs of cold stress
- Limiting the amount of time spent outdoors when it’s cold, or taking frequent breaks in designated warm areas
- Drinking warm liquids to maintain body temperature
- Keeping extra clothes on hand in case yours get damp
Common Cold Weather Injuries
Most injuries that directly result from cold or icy conditions can be attributed to slip and falls. Some of the most common cold-weather injuries doctors treat are:
- Ankle sprains
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Head injuries
- Muscle strains
You may sustain any of these injuries while slipping on ice or even falling from a ladder while taking down holiday lights.
What are the signs that you’re developing hypothermia?
A combination of cold weather and wind or dampness can quickly lead to hypothermia. Temperatures in the 50s, when coupled with rain or high winds, can cause hypothermia.
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. During hypothermia, your body temperature drops from 98.6°F to 95°F or lower.
Signs of hypothermia:
- Drowsiness
- Lack of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory
- Shivering
- Slurred speech
What are the signs that you’re developing frostbite?
Frostbite usually affects your toes, fingers, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Exposure to cold air and wind for too long can cause nerve damage to these parts of your body. If left untreated, frostbite can cause permanent damage to the tissue and nerves in the area.
Signs of frostbite:
- Prickling feeling in the skin
- Numbness, tingling or itching
- Skin turns white
- Skin appears hard or waxy
- Blisters form when skin thaws (intermediate frostbite)
Some groups are at higher risk of frostbite, including people with diabetes and poor circulation.
When do you need to go to the emergency room for a cold-weather injury?
If you have signs of frostbite or hypothermia, seek care at the nearest emergency room. If left untreated, hypothermia can be life-threatening. Frostbite can cause irreversible skin and nerve damage.
If you sustained an injury from a slip and fall, like a broken bone or concussion, you should seek medical care. Depending on the nature of your injury, you may be able to go to either the emergency department or an urgent care clinic. Check out our blog to see when to go to the ER versus a clinic.
When in doubt, come to the emergency room. Medical staff can help direct you to the right place for care.
What Cold Weather Safety Tips Are Most Important to Remember This Winter?
When it comes to your health, you can prevent hypothermia, frostbite and other cold-weather injuries by:
- Wearing plenty of layers, including a hat, gloves, face covering and scarf
- Taking frequent breaks in a warm, enclosed area
- Staying dry and out of the wind when possible
- Working during the warmest part of the day
- Being aware of your symptoms before they worsen
- It is also very important to keep an eye on your coworkers and tell a supervisor if you notice signs of illness.
Cold weather can be fun, but safety and injury prevention should be a top priority when cold weather arrives.
At the very least, it’s important to remember four categories during winter weather: People, Pets, Pipes and Plants. You can learn more about the four Ps through the City of San Antonio website.
University Health Is Here for You
The health care professionals at University Health are prepared to treat an array of cold-weather injuries, including severe frostbite and hypothermia. Our hospital has a 24/7 emergency department and a designated Level I trauma center.
Injury Prevention at University Health
Our Injury Prevention team provides resources to help you and your family stay safe no matter what the weather conditions. Learn more on our website and protect yourself from preventable injuries.
