Wednesday, January 19th 2011, 12:26 pm
NewsOn6.com
UNDATED -- Your winter weather emergency kit is ready, the cupboards are full – but what about protecting yourself from weather-related illnesses or other health problems?
The Oklahoma Department of Health has advice for protecting yourself not just from the cold, but from getting colds and other infectious diseases during winter weather.
When people are closed up together in the family home or shelters, respiratory disease can be a problem. Be sure to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and use good personal hygiene and hand-washing practices to reduce the risk of transmission.
If power outages are experienced, there's an increased chance for health problems from spoiled food, sewage back up and tainted water.
Water safety
If you are using water you think might not be safe to drink or prepare food, try to boil the water vigorously for at least two minutes to prevent waterborne illnesses. Or purchase safe water ahead of time such as bottled water.
Don't skate, slide or sled on frozen ponds, creeks, rivers or lakes. Oklahoma temperatures rarely good cold enough to complete freeze recreational water.
Food safety
If power is interrupted for more than four hours, take the following precautions with refrigerated food:
Watch what you eat – and drink
Eating high-energy, well-balanced meals help people stay warmer. Alcoholic beverages cause the body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages like hot chocolate or sweetened coffee or tea. Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning cases increase as people try to stay warm. It's a highly poisonous gas produced by the burning of fuel like gasoline, natural gas, kerosene, charcoal or wood.
Unvented or faulty gas and kerosene appliances have the greatest potential to produce CO.
Get Weather Alerts Sent To Your Phone For Free From News On 6.
Share Your Winter Weather Photos With News On 6
January 19th, 2011
April 15th, 2024
April 12th, 2024
October 3rd, 2024
October 3rd, 2024
October 3rd, 2024