TEN WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS

While many people wish for a "White Christmas," the reality is that snow and ice can be a painful one-two punch, especially for seniors who have arthritis or difficulty walking due to a previous stroke or other illness. A single fall can cause debilitating and costly injuries, but a few simple tips can help older adults stay safe and healthy through the winter months.

1. Falls: To help avoid falls, wear appropriate shoes outdoors and put road salt, sand or kitty litter on sidewalks and driveways. Better yet, if the walks haven't been cleared, ask friends or relatives for help with errands such as grocery shopping.

2. Safe Snow Shoveling: If you choose to shovel, take frequent breaks and go indoors when you get too cold. Dangers of snow removal range from back injuries that come from lifting and twisting to strain on the heart created by both strenuous movement and chilly temperatures. Safe shoveling tips include not shoveling after smoking, drinking alcohol or eating a heavy meal, using a small shovel will prevent you from lifting too much weight, and push snow rather than lifting it.

3. Stay Active: Staying indoors does not mean being inactive. Keep in shape by walking in place, using a stationary bike or working out with a fitness video, available at the local library. Daily stretching exercises can help maintain flexibility. Check with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

4. Bundle Up: Wearing tight clothes restricts movement, and puts more stress on the body, Make sure you wear layers of loose-fitting clothes, which tend to keep people warmer but are easy to take off a layer at a time if you get too warm from the exercise.

5. Keep Warm Indoors: Inadequate indoor heat also can cause hypothermia. Keep home temperatures above 65 degrees and dress in layers to maintain body temperature. If you have difficulty paying the heating bill, contact your gas or electric utility about ways to continue service through the winter.

6. Clean Air: If you heat your home with a fireplace, gas furnace or gas-powered space heater, invest in carbon monoxide detectors, which can be purchased at a home improvement store for as little as $30. Carbon monoxide in the air can displace the oxygen in your blood stream and cause headache, dizziness, nausea, convulsions and even death within two hours. The effects can be even faster for people with heart or respiratory illnesses.

7. Socialize: Depression is more common in the winter months, and bad weather can mean social isolation for many seniors. Make efforts to spend time with family, friends and neighbors, and when weather makes visiting difficult, pick up the phone for a chat.

8. Space Heaters: Remember space heaters need space. Make sure combustibles such as paper, bedding and curtains are at least 36 inches from the space heater. It is also important that the space heater is equipped with an automatic shut off switch that will kill the unit if it is knocked over. Remember to shut the unit off before retiring to bed.

9. Safe Driving: It is best if you can enlist someone younger to drive on ice and snow covered roads, but if you must drive, slow down. Remember it takes a longer distance to stop on ice and snow. Make sure you have a full tank of gas, and keep a blanket and a warm jacket in the trunk as well as ice melt or kitty litter for traction in case you become stuck.

10. Medications: Make sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand so if a major winter storm should develop and roads are impassable, you will have a sufficient amount to last through the storm. Contact your doctor for additional information on an emergency supply of medicines and other medical needs during the winter season.