• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
DONATE

  • Home
  • Programs & Services Programs & Services
    Overview
    Home & Community-based Care Options
    • Elderly Services Program
    • AddnAide
    • PASSPORT
    • Assisted Living Waiver
    • MyCare Ohio
    • Specialized Recovery Services Program
    Transitional Care
    • FastTrack Home
    Duke Energy Bill Credit Program
    Hamilton County Senior Utility and Home Repair Assistance Program
    Aging and Disability Resource Center
    Caregiver Support Program
    • EVRTalk virtual reality caregiver training
    • Working Caregivers
    Health & Wellness Programs
    • Connecting the Dots
    • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
    Nursing Home Pre-Admission Review
    Other Services
  • Find Resources Find Resources
    Search for Resources
    Document Library
    • Annual Reports
  • Service Providers Service Providers
    Working with Council on Aging
    • Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
    Overview
    PASSPORT & Assisted Living
    • Prospective Provider Information
    • Current PASSPORT Provider Information
    Elderly Services Program
    • Current ESP Provider Information
    • Clinton County Senior Services Grant
    Title III, Senior Community Services & Alzheimer State Funds
    • Information for Current Title III Providers
    Care Management & Billing
  • About About
    Overview
    Working at COA
    • Open Positions
    • Employee Thoughts
    Senior Leadership Team
    • Board & Advisory Councils
    Advocacy
    Funding
    • Tax Levies
    How to Help
    • Donate
    • Volunteers Needed
  • News & Events News & Events
    Overview
    Coronavirus and Vaccine Information
    News
    Newsletters
    • Join our Mailing List
    Events
    • Forum on Aging
    Public Meetings
  • Contact Contact
    Overview
    Make a Referral
    Contact Form
    Service Excellence Awards
    Communication & Media
    Outreach Bureau
    Title VI
  • Home
  • Programs & Services Programs & Services
    Overview
    Home & Community-based Care Options
    • Elderly Services Program
    • AddnAide
    • PASSPORT
    • Assisted Living Waiver
    • MyCare Ohio
    • Specialized Recovery Services Program
    Transitional Care
    • FastTrack Home
    Duke Energy Bill Credit Program
    Hamilton County Senior Utility and Home Repair Assistance Program
    Aging and Disability Resource Center
    Caregiver Support Program
    • EVRTalk virtual reality caregiver training
    • Working Caregivers
    Health & Wellness Programs
    • Connecting the Dots
    • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
    Nursing Home Pre-Admission Review
    Other Services
  • Find Resources Find Resources
    Search for Resources
    Document Library
    • Annual Reports
  • Service Providers Service Providers
    Working with Council on Aging
    • Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
    Overview
    PASSPORT & Assisted Living
    • Prospective Provider Information
    • Current PASSPORT Provider Information
    Elderly Services Program
    • Current ESP Provider Information
    • Clinton County Senior Services Grant
    Title III, Senior Community Services & Alzheimer State Funds
    • Information for Current Title III Providers
    Care Management & Billing
  • About About
    Overview
    Working at COA
    • Open Positions
    • Employee Thoughts
    Senior Leadership Team
    • Board & Advisory Councils
    Advocacy
    Funding
    • Tax Levies
    How to Help
    • Donate
    • Volunteers Needed
  • News & Events News & Events
    Overview
    Coronavirus and Vaccine Information
    News
    Newsletters
    • Join our Mailing List
    Events
    • Forum on Aging
    Public Meetings
  • Contact Contact
    Overview
    Make a Referral
    Contact Form
    Service Excellence Awards
    Communication & Media
    Outreach Bureau
    Title VI
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
DONATE
(513) 721-1025
  • Home
  • Programs & Services Programs & Services
    Overview
    Home & Community-based Care Options
    • Elderly Services Program
    • AddnAide
    • PASSPORT
    • Assisted Living Waiver
    • MyCare Ohio
    • Specialized Recovery Services Program
    Transitional Care
    • FastTrack Home
    Duke Energy Bill Credit Program
    Hamilton County Senior Utility and Home Repair Assistance Program
    Aging and Disability Resource Center
    Caregiver Support Program
    • EVRTalk virtual reality caregiver training
    • Working Caregivers
    Health & Wellness Programs
    • Connecting the Dots
    • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
    Nursing Home Pre-Admission Review
    Other Services
  • Find Resources Find Resources
    Search for Resources
    Document Library
    • Annual Reports
  • Service Providers Service Providers
    Working with Council on Aging
    • Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
    Overview
    PASSPORT & Assisted Living
    • Prospective Provider Information
    • Current PASSPORT Provider Information
    Elderly Services Program
    • Current ESP Provider Information
    • Clinton County Senior Services Grant
    Title III, Senior Community Services & Alzheimer State Funds
    • Information for Current Title III Providers
    Care Management & Billing
  • About About
    Overview
    Working at COA
    • Open Positions
    • Employee Thoughts
    Senior Leadership Team
    • Board & Advisory Councils
    Advocacy
    Funding
    • Tax Levies
    How to Help
    • Donate
    • Volunteers Needed
  • News & Events News & Events
    Overview
    Coronavirus and Vaccine Information
    News
    Newsletters
    • Join our Mailing List
    Events
    • Forum on Aging
    Public Meetings
  • Contact Contact
    Overview
    Make a Referral
    Contact Form
    Service Excellence Awards
    Communication & Media
    Outreach Bureau
    Title VI
DONATE
(513) 721-1025
Thanks for visiting, but before you go...

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at COA and in the fields of aging and disability services:

Sign Up
  • Home
  • Programs & Services
    • Overview
    • Home & Community-based Care Options
      • Elderly Services Program
      • AddnAide
      • PASSPORT
      • Assisted Living Waiver
      • MyCare Ohio
      • Specialized Recovery Services Program
    • Transitional Care
      • FastTrack Home
    • Duke Energy Bill Credit Program
    • Hamilton County Senior Utility and Home Repair Assistance Program
    • Aging and Disability Resource Center
    • Caregiver Support Program
      • EVRTalk virtual reality caregiver training
      • Working Caregivers
    • Health & Wellness Programs
      • Connecting the Dots
      • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
    • Nursing Home Pre-Admission Review
    • Other Services
  • Find Resources
    • Search for Resources
    • Document Library
      • Annual Reports
  • Service Providers
    • Working with Council on Aging
      • Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
    • Overview
    • PASSPORT & Assisted Living
      • Prospective Provider Information
      • Current PASSPORT Provider Information
    • Elderly Services Program
      • Current ESP Provider Information
      • Clinton County Senior Services Grant
    • Title III, Senior Community Services & Alzheimer State Funds
      • Information for Current Title III Providers
    • Care Management & Billing
  • About
    • Overview
    • Working at COA
      • Open Positions
      • Employee Thoughts
    • Senior Leadership Team
      • Board & Advisory Councils
    • Advocacy
    • Funding
      • Tax Levies
    • How to Help
      • Donate
      • Volunteers Needed
  • News & Events
    • Overview
    • Coronavirus and Vaccine Information
    • News
    • Newsletters
      • Join our Mailing List
    • Events
      • Forum on Aging
    • Public Meetings
  • Contact
    • Overview
    • Make a Referral
    • Contact Form
    • Service Excellence Awards
    • Communication & Media
    • Outreach Bureau
    • Title VI
Home > News > It’s wintertime … here’s how to stay safe and healthy when the weather outside is frightful

It’s wintertime … here’s how to stay safe and healthy when the weather outside is frightful

December 31, 2018

Walk like a penguin

Winter months often provide some of the most beautiful outdoor scenes, but winter is also unpredictable. Winter storms can occur quickly and without warning, causing power outages, stranding people in their homes or cars, and creating unsafe driving and walking conditions. 

Seniors and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable during severe winter weather and should take extra precautions to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature conjures up.

Here are some tips to help older and disabled adults stay safe in winter weather:

  • Check-in on elderly family and neighbors. If you’re at all concerned about someone’s safety, don’t let him or her put you off. Stop by if you can.
  • Clear walkways and handrails of snow and ice. Put down salt or other ice melter. Encourage seniors to stay inside. Falls often spell disaster for older adults. Bring in mail and newspapers for them.
  • Check supplies of food and emergency items like flashlights, batteries, and battery-powered radio.
  • Check to make sure a space heater is being used properly: plug into outlet, not extension cord. Keep at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn, including the wall.
  • Plan ahead for any emergency power needs of mechanical medical equipment.
  • Offer to drive, if someone must get out (pick up a prescription, medical appointment, etc.),
  • Be a friend. Some seniors can get very isolated and stormy weather can make it worse.
  • Once the storm as passed – inspect property as soon as possible for damage. You may be able to help an older loved one with repairs or insurance matters. 

Winter safety tips

At home…

  • Check appliances, furnaces, portable heaters and fireplaces before using them for the first time. Keep all heat sources and vents clear of clutter. Never leave portable heaters unattended.
  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone knows how to use them.
  • Check batteries in portable radios, flashlights, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working on every floor in your home.
  • With winter comes shorter, darker days. Consider putting entry or garage lights on a timer or light sensor so they come on as soon as it gets dark each day. Inexpensive adapters are easy to install and can be purchased from your local home center.  Keep your home well lit by installing the maximum wattage bulbs allowed for your indoor light fixtures. Keep extra light bulbs on hand.

Outdoors…

  • Stay indoors during severe winter weather. If you do go out, dress warm and tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back.
  • Make sure the path to your door, garage and mailbox are shoveled and free of debris. If possible, have someone shovel for you.
  • Use salt to melt down icy sidewalks and steps or cover the ice with something gritty or non-slippery (sand, cat litter). Ideally you should sprinkle salt before or immediately after a storm.
  • Allow yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go in winter weather. Taking your time will reduce your risk of falling, especially if you use an assistive walking device.
  • Walk like a penguin and follow the other safety tips in the box above to avoid falling if you do go out.

In the car…

  • Have your car winterized before the first snow fall.
  • Put an ice scraper in your car. Also check your wipers and wiper fluid. You may want to have an extra gallon of cold weather formula wiper fluid on hand in your car or garage.
  • Keep a hat, gloves, scarf and blanket in your car in the event you become stuck or stranded. 
  • Pay attention to travel warnings or advisories during winter weather. If you do go out, tell someone where you’re going and take a cell phone with you.

Before weather emergencies…

  • Have a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person per day). Don’t forget supplies for your pet and any medications you might be taking.
  • Know where to go for information about local weather emergencies, road or business closings (TV, radio).
  • Know the difference between winter storm watches and warnings.
  • Update phone numbers for local emergency officials, as well as nearby family, friends and neighbors. Remember to stay in contact with family during severe winter weather.
  • If you have home health care service, plan ahead with your agency for emergency procedures.

For more information about winter weather safety for all ages, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Winter Weather website. 

Consider medical needs when planning for emergencies

When planning for emergencies, older adults with special medical needs should remember to include the following:

  • First-aid kit
  • Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies
  • Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries
  • Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen
  • List of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers
  • Medical insurance and Medicare cards
  • List of doctors and relatives or friends who should be notified if you are injured
  • If you have home health care service, plan ahead with your agency for emergency procedures.
  • Teach those who may need to assist you in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment. Be sure they will be able to reach you.

 (American Red Cross)

 

 

Primary Sidebar

MOST RECENT

You are invited to join us and learn about COA's support for caregivers

Federal government ends SNAP emergency payments

COA joins Hamilton County 513Relief Bus program

Council on Aging Board Member Profile: Kay Bolden

PASSPORT program provides support to keep Mt. Healthy resident in his home

Archives

  • Council on Aging and home52 Terms of Use
  • Links Policy
  • HIPAA
  • Site Map
  • Home52
(513) 721-1025

Copyright © 2023 · Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. 4601 Malsbary Road | Blue Ash, OH 45242 | Log in

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

  • Council on Aging and home52 Terms of Use
  • Links Policy
  • HIPAA
  • Site Map
  • Home52
This website uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation, monitor site usage and web traffic, assist with our promotional and marketing efforts, and customize and improve our services and website. For more information about cookies and how we use them please see our Privacy Policy. Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Thanks for visiting, but before you go...

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at COA and in the fields of aging and disability services:

Sign Up