Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service winter injury prevention tips

Released: January 20, 2017 at 9:45 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB - The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service would like share some helpful tips to help you minimize the risk of injury this winter season.

Children’s Winter Safety

While snow and ice can be a bother for adults, children love to dig and slide during the winter months. Caregivers should be aware that snow and ice can pose safety risks and kids should be supervised whenever possible.

  • Deep snow is perfect for building snow forts and tunnels but it is also heavy and can suffocate a child if they become trapped. Children should always be supervised when playing in snow forts. Snow forts should be built without roofs and tunneling through deep snow should be avoided. Quincies should only be constructed by those with winter survival training.
  • December’s extreme snow fall has resulted in many boulevards and private parking lots having large snow piles. Children should never play on snow piles near roadways or in parking lots.

Shovel Safe

Shovelling snow is hard work. Overexertion, such as shovelling, can strain your heart during cold weather. Shovelling is can also be hard on your back. It is recommended that you do some warm-up exercise before starting to shovel. Taking time to stretch before tackling the snow can help loosen muscles and help prevent injury.

  • The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommended rate for continuous shovelling tasks is usually considered to be around 15 scoops per minute. Tasks involving continuous shovelling at this rate should not be carried on longer than fifteen minutes at a time.
  • Since most shovelling is done outdoors, consideration for the prevailing conditions is very important. In very cold weather, it is recommended that you do 15 minutes of shovelling followed by 15 minutes of rest.

Hypothermia

Winter temperatures can be a hazard to personal safety, and special precautions are required. Before you head outdoors, please take the following steps to reduce your risk of weather-related health problems:

  • Dress in layers of warm, dry clothing, so that you can adjust to changing conditions. Be sure to wear a warm hat that covers your ears and a pair of loose-fitting gloves or mitts. Up to 40% of our body heat is lost through the head and hands.
  • Cover exposed skin surfaces to protect from frostbite. Warm affected areas gradually by wrapping or placing the affected area next to warm skin or in warm water. Do not rub areas of frostbitten skin.
  • Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If these symptoms are present, seek immediate medical attention or call 911. Severe hypothermia can be life threatening.

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