Cold Weather Safety Tips
- 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 and put down salt or other ice melter. It's best to encourage seniors to stay inside. Falls can spell disaster for older adults. Bring in mail and newspapers.
- Check supplies of food and emergency items like flashlights, batteries, smoke alarm battery
- 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.
- If someone must get out (pick up a prescription, dr. appointment, etc.), offer to drive.
- Be a friend. Some seniors can get very isolated and stormy weather can make it worse.
A note about Meals on Wheels and transportation services during harsh winter weather:
These days, most Meals on Wheels are delivered chilled or frozen because seniors can heat them in microwaves. When bad weather threatens, extra meals are delivered in advance. Meals on Wheels clients also get a supply of shelf stable foods (peanut butter, tuna fish, etc.) to help them through weather emergencies.
Most transportation trips are put on hold in unsafe weather, but some transportation is critical, such as for dialysis patients.