The West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services Comissioner Robert Roswall has issued “Cold Weather Tips for
Seniors:”
To stay warm:
– Dress in layers of clothing to stay
warm.
– Wear a hat.
– Cover skin with a scarf or knit
mask.
– Wear a water resistant coat and boots.
– Wear mittens – they are warmer than
gloves.
– Drink plenty of liquids, but no alcohol. It causes you
to lose body heat more rapidly.
–
Seek
medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including
confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.
–
Watch
for symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or
yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.
To
avoid frozen pipes:
–
Run
water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from
freezing.
–
Open
the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around
the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out
of the reach of children and pets.
–
Keep
the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be
a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes
freeze and burst.
And also, very important, do not forget your
pets. If you are cold, they are cold. Bring them inside.