CHARLESTON MILL SERVICE

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THE WEATHER

• 5 cold-weather health hazards,
• and how to stay safe

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1. What is HYPOTHERMIA?

• A. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls
  below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Determine this by
  taking your temperature. Warning signs include
  uncontrollable shivering, memory loss,
  disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech,
  drowsiness, and exhaustion. Get medical attention
  immediately. If you can't get help quickly, begin
  warming the body SLOWLY. Warm the body core
  first, NOT the extremities. Warming extremities
  first drives the cold blood to the heart and can
  cause the body temperature to drop further--which
  may lead to heart failure. Get the person into
  dry clothing and wrap in a warm blanket covering
  the head and neck. Do not give the person
  alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any HOT beverage or
  food. WARM broth and food is better. About 20 of
  cold related deaths occur in the home. Young
  children under the age of two and the elderly,
  those more than 60 years of age, are most
  susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia can set
  in over a period of time. Keep the thermostat
  above 69 degrees Fahrenheit, wear warm clothing,
  eat food for warmth, and drink plenty of water
  (or fluids other than alcohol) to keep hydrated.
• NOTE Alcohol will lower your body temperature.

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2. Colds and flu

• Each year, adults get an average of about three
  colds every year, and 1 in 5 adults will get the
  flu. Although colds and flu arent specific to
  cold-weather months, they're both more prevalent
  during winter. One Welsh study suggests that cold
  temperatures can actually lead to a cold by
  limiting the supply of infection-fighting white
  blood cells in the nasal passage, where cold
  viruses most often enter the body. And research
  shows that the flu virus is more stable and stays
  in the air longer when air is cold and dry.
• What to watch for Its often difficult to know
  whether you have a cold or the flu, because the
  symptoms can be similar. At the onset of a cold,
  you may feel a dry, scratchy sore throat,
  sneezing, a headache, runny nose with watery
  mucus, watery eyes, chills, and a fever. Later
  symptoms can include a blocked nose, sinus pain,
  a cough that keep you awake at night, muscle
  aches and pains, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
  Flu symptoms are normally worse than and come on
  more quickly than cold symptoms and include a
  fever of about 100 degrees to 104 degrees F, a
  dry cough, muscle aches, headache, a stopped up
  nose, sore throat, and feeling extremely tired.
• Stay-safe tips With a cold, you may feel quite
  sick for a couple of days, but your symptoms
  should clear up in a week to 10 days. And most
  people recover from the flu within a week. Of
  course, both will very likely need to be treated
  by medicines. Theres no cure for a cold, but
  taking cold medicines may help lessen your
  symptoms while your body fights off the virus.
  Take a look at our recommendations for what cold
  medicines work best. (subscribers only). Be sure
  to steer clear of antibiotics--they don't work
  for viruses and they have side effects. For flu,
  a flu shot will help your body fight off the flu
  virus, but if you already have the virus, the CDC
  recommends zanamivir (Relenza), an inhaled drug,
  for treating seasonal flu in people age 7 and
  older or a combination of oseltamivir and
  rimantadine.

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3. Frostbite

• Frostbite can cause a loss of feeling and color
  in the affected areas, such as the nose, ears,
  cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can
  permanently damage body tissue, and severe cases
  can lead to amputation. In extremely cold
  temperatures, the risk of frostbite is increased
  in people with reduced blood circulation and when
  people are not dressed properly.
• What to watch for Signs of frostbite include
  reduced blood flow to hands and feet (fingers or
  toes can freeze), numbness, tingling or stinging,
  aching, and bluish or pail, waxy skin.
• Stay-safe tips To prevent frostbite, wear warm
  clothing and dress in layers when you plan to be
  outdoors for an extended amount of time, and keep
  dry (wet clothes increase chance of heat loss).
  If you notice the signs of frostbite, get into a
  warm room as soon as possible. Immerse the
  affected area in warm water or warm it area using
  body heat. Avoid rubbing or massaging the
  frostbitten area doing so may cause more damage.
  And do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the
  heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for
  warming since affected areas are numb and can be
  easily burned.

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4. Depression

• About 5 percent of Americans, three-quarters of
  them women, experience seasonal affective
  disorder (SAD) each year, a type of depression
  that typically occurs during the cold-weather
  months.
• Signs to watch for Some symptoms are similar to
  those associated with other types of depression
  sadness, fatigue, excessive sleepiness, social
  withdrawal, and trouble concentrating. But people
  with SAD also tend to move slowly, crave
  carbohydrates, and gain weight. And they're less
  likely than people with conventional depression
  to have feelings of worthlessness or thoughts of
  suicide.
• Stay-safe tips If suspect youre suffering from
  SAD, the nonprofit Center for Environmental
  Therapeutics has an online questionnaire that can
  help you determine whether you have it. For mild
  cases, doing 60 minutes of outdoor aerobic
  exercise in the morning might bring some relief.
  For more persistent cases, talk to our doctor
  about therapies, including light therapy and
  antidepressant. Other treatment options include
  cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which you learn
  to ward off negative thoughts about the season
  and work on finding enjoyable activities. That
  kind of therapy might also help prevent a
  recurrence.

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5. Heart Attacks

• Its true that there are numerous risk factors
  for heart attack, including having high
  cholesterol, being male, and smoking cigarettes,
  but did you know heart attacks are more common in
  winter? This may be because cold snaps increase
  blood pressure and put more strain on the heart.
  Also, your heart also has to work harder to
  maintain body heat when it's cold.
• What to watch for The warning signs for a heart
  attack include, chest pain (though not always),
  shortness of breath, sudden fatigue or dizziness,
  sweating, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat,
  blue tinge to your skin.
• Stay-safe tips Bundle up outside and take it
  easy when exerting yourself in the cold to help
  prevent a heart attack. If the symptoms we
  mentioned above strike, dont ignore them
• call 911 immediately.

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Cold Weather Hazards and Injuries

• Winter can be a wonderful time of year for those
  who choose to embrace it, but there are potential
  dangers associated with cold weather and we would
  all do well to remind ourselves of them. When the
  icy blasts of winter arrive, many people tend to
  stay indoors and adopt a more inactive lifestyle
  than perhaps they should. By 'hibernating,' we're
  exposing ourselves to greater risk because our
  hearts need regular exercise to remain healthy
• An Italian study in 2008 revealed a significant
  increase in heart attack admissions to hospital
  with the arrival of colder weather. Another study
  noted that a 10-degree drop in temperature
  increases the risk of a recurrent heart attack by
  38. Winter weather alone can constrict blood
  vessels, making the heart work harder, and the
  additional strain of strenuous activity -
  shoveling snow, for example - may trigger a heart
  attack. 
• People with known heart problems or who are in
  poor physical shape and/or have a family history
  of heart disease should consult their doctor
  before engaging in strenuous activities.
• Seasonal colds and the flu can also increase the
  burden on our hearts, as can stress associated
  with the holidays. If you are going to shovel
  snow or undertake some form of strenuous
  activity, avoid having a full stomach as it can
  cause further strain on the heart. Warm up your
  muscles with some basic stretches before
  beginning shoveling or other activities, and take
  a breather from time to time.

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Flooding

• Flash floods and floods are the 1 cause of
  deaths associated with thunderstorms...more than
  140 fatalities each year.
• Most flash flood fatalities occur at night and
  most victims are people who become trapped in
  automobiles.
• Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off
  your feet a depth of two feet will cause most
  vehicles to float.

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Flash Flood Safety Rules

• Avoid walking, swimming, or diving in flood
  waters.
• Stay away from high water, storm drains, ditches,
  ravines, or culverts. If it is moving swiftly,
  even water six inches deep can knock you off your
  feet.
• If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around,
  and go another way. Climb to higher ground.
• Do not let children play near storm drains.

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TORNADO SAFETY
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What is a tornado watch?

• A tornado watch defines an area shaped like a
  parallelogram, where tornadoes and other kinds of
  severe weather are possible in the next several
  hours. It does not mean tornadoes are imminent --
  just that you need to be alert, and to be
  prepared to go to safe shelter if tornadoes do
  happen or a warning is issued. This is the time
  to turn on local TV or radio, turn on and set the
  alarm switch on your weather radio, make sure you
  have ready access to safe shelter, and make your
  friends and family aware of the potential for
  tornadoes in the area

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What is a tornado warning?

• A tornado warning means that a tornado has been
  spotted, or that Doppler radar indicates a
  thunderstorm circulation which can spawn a
  tornado. When a tornado warning is issued for
  your town or county, take immediate safety
  precautions. Local news offices issue tornado
  warnings.

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• "Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the
  damage to property from hurricanes are
  responsibilities that are shared by all."
• Throughout this Web site, information has been
  provided regarding actions that you can take
  based on specific hurricane hazards. The most
  important thing that you can do is to be informed
  and prepared. Disaster prevention includes both
  being prepared as well as reducing damages
  (mitigation).
• Disaster Prevention should include
• Developing a Family Plan
• Creating a Disaster Supply Kit
• Having a Place to Go
• Securing your Home
• Having a Pet Plan
• One of the most important decisions you will have
  to make is "Should I Evacuate?"
• If you are asked to evacuate, you should do so
  without delay. But unless you live in a coastal
  or low-lying area, an area that floods
  frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is
  unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to
  evacuate. That means that it is important for you
  and your family to HAVE A PLAN that makes you as
  safe as possible in your home.
• Disaster prevention includes modifying your home
  to strengthen it against storms so that you can
  be as safe as possible. It also includes having
  the supplies on hand to weather the storm. The
  suggestions provided here are only guides. You
  should use common sense in your disaster
  prevention.

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• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect
  your family. Know your home's vulnerability to
  storm surge, flooding and wind.
• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your
  home for each hurricane hazard. In certain
  circumstances the safest areas may not be your
  home but within your community.
• Determine escape routes from your home and
  places to meet. These should be measured in tens
  of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact,
  so all your family members have a single point of
  contact.
• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if
  you need to evacuate.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones
  and make sure your children know how and when to
  call 911.
• Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is
  not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a
  Disaster Supply Kit.
• Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace
  its battery every 6 months, as you do with your
  smoke detectors.
• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness
  classes.

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Creating a Disaster Supply Kit

• Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3
  to 7 days
• Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
  non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
  foods for infants or the elderly snack foods
  non-electric can opener cooking tools / fuel
  paper plates / plastic utensils
• Blankets / Pillows, etc.
• Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
• First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
• Special Items - for babies and the elderly
• Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
• Flashlight / Batteries
• Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
• Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra
  battery and a traditional (not cordless)
  telephone set
• Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards -
  Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended
  periods
• Keys
• Toys, Books and Games
• Important documents - in a waterproof container
  or watertight resalable plastic bag insurance,
  medical records, bank account numbers, Social
  Security card, etc.
• Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled
• Pet care items proper identification /
  immunization records / medications ample supply
  of food and water a carrier or cage muzzle
  and leash

SUPPLY LIST
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• Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan
  before an actual storm threatens your area. If
  your family hurricane preparedness plan includes
  evacuation to a safer location for any of the
  reasons specified with in this web site, then it
  is important to consider the following points
• If ordered to evacuate, do not wait or delay your
  departure. If possible, leave before local
  officials issue an evacuation order for your
  area. Even a slight delay in starting your
  evacuation will result in significantly longer
  travel times as traffic congestion worsens.
• Select an evacuation destination that is nearest
  to your home, preferably in the same county, or
  at least minimize the distance over which you
  must travel in order to reach your intended
  shelter location. In choosing your destination,
  keep in mind that the hotels and other sheltering
  options in most inland metropolitan areas are
  likely to be filled very quickly in a large,
  multi-county hurricane evacuation event.
• If you decide to evacuate to another county or
  region, be prepared to wait in traffic. The
  large number of people in this state who must
  evacuate during a hurricane will probably cause
  massive delays and major congestion along most
  designated evacuation routes the larger the
  storm, the greater the probability of traffic
  jams and extended travel times.
• If possible, make arrangements to stay with the
  friend or relative who resides closest to your
  home and who will not have to evacuate. Discuss
  with your intended host the details of your
  family evacuation plan well before the beginning
  of the hurricane season.
• If a hotel or motel is your final intended
  destination during an evacuation, make
  reservations before you leave. Most hotel and
  motels will fill quickly once evacuations begin.
  The longer you wait to make reservations, even if
  an official evacuation order has not been issued
  for your area or county, the less likely you are
  to find hotel/motel room vacancies, especially
  along interstate highways and in major
  metropolitan areas.
• If you are unable to stay with friends or family
  and no hotels/motels rooms are available, then as
  a last resort go to a shelter.  Remember,
  shelters are not designed for comfort and do not
  usually accept pets.  Bring your disaster supply
  kit with you to the shelter. Find Pet-Friendly
  hotels and motels.
• Make sure that you fill up your car with gas,
  before you leave.

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• RETROFITTING YOUR HOMEThe most important
  precaution you can take to reduce damage to your
  home and property is to protect the areas where
  wind can enter. According to recent wind
  technology research, it's important to strengthen
  the exterior of your house so wind and debris do
  not tear large openings in it. You can do this by
  protecting and reinforcing these five critical
  areas
• ROOF STRAPS SHUTTERS DOORS GARAGE DOORS
• A great time to start securing - or retrofitting
  - your house is when you are making other
  improvements or adding an addition.  
• Remember building codes reflect the lessons
  experts have learned from past catastrophes.
  Contact the local building code official to find
  out what requirements are necessary for your home
  improvement projects.
• FLOOD INSURANCEThe National Flood Insurance
  Program, is a pre-disaster flood mitigation and
  insurance protection program designed to reduce
  the escalating cost of disasters. The National
  Flood Insurance Program makes federally backed
  flood insurance available to residents and
  business owners
• Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners
  insurance.  Do not make assumptions.  Check your
  policy.

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• BEFORE THE DISASTER
• Make sure that your pets are current on their
  vaccinations.  Pet shelters may require proof of
  vaccines.
• Have a current photograph
• Keep a collar with identification on your pet and
  have a leash on hand to control your pet.
• Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal
  - carriers should be large enough for the animal
  to stand  and turn around.
• Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget
  your pet!  Specialized pet shelters, animal
  control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends
  and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential
  refuges for your pet during a disaster.
• If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into
  your evacuation route planning.
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• DURING THE DISASTER
• Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to
  have  Proper identification collar and rabies
  tag, proper identification on all belongings, a
  carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of
  food, water and food bowls, any necessary
  medications, specific care instructions and news
  papers or trash bags for clean-up.
• Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm -
  reassure them and remain calm.
• Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first
  served basis.  Call ahead and determine
  availability.
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• AFTER THE DISASTER
• Walk pets on a leash until they become
  re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents
  and landmarks may be altered and pets could
  easily be confused and become lost.  Also, downed
  power lines, reptiles brought in with high water
  and debris can all pose a threat for animals
  after a disaster.
• If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact
  the local animal control office to find out where
  lost animals can be recovered.  Bring along a
  picture of your pet if possible.
• After a disaster animals can become aggressive or
  defensive - monitor their behavior.
• Don't forget your pet when preparing a family
  disaster plan.