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Politics & Government

Winter Weather Ushers In Slips, Falls And Heart Attacks

Area medical and emergency pros explain how to avoid some seasonal hazards.

You know the drill from holiday movies: Dad puts a ladder on the roof to hang up Christmas lights. Dad gets a little overzealous with the number of lights or the reach of the extension cord. Dad winds up hanging from the gutter.

Sure, it’s a scene from the movies—but it can happen at your home, too. Last week, one Northbrook worker fell from the roof of a home in the 100 block of Church Street, along with the ladder he was standing on.  

 “The ladder just slid on me,” said the worker, who declined to give his name. A thin and barely visible sheet of ice on the ground upended the ladder, knocking him to the ground and leaving a large, swollen welt on the left side of his face.   

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Paramedics treated him at the scene, and fortunately, he did not require hospitalization. But the accident serves a reminder that cold weather, even when it’s not accompanied by snow, can bring unseen hazards and, more importantly, can cause serious injuries in just a second or two. 

What injuries do emergency personnel typically see in the winter?

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“Slips and falls, snow thrower problems, heart attacks while shoveling snow,” said Northbrook Deputy Fire Chief Ron Schinleber, rattling off the most common seasonal accidents.

Snow throwers are particularly dangerous because of their many moving parts, Schinleber said. While snow throwers have incorporated more and more safety features in recent years, he said, operators should be particularly careful when trying to clean one that has become clogged  

So what’s the best way to avoid being injured this winter?

Prevention is the place to start, according to Matthew Plofsky, a primary care physician with .

While snow shoveling is often reported as a danger for those with pre-existing heart conditions, Plosfsky said the activity can pose a risk not only to those with heart disease, but to anyone who is not conditioned to perform rigorous aerobic activity. Even for those in good shape, shoveling of heavy snow should be done carefully to avoid back strain or even back injury. 

Experts advise those with heart conditions to contact their doctor before shoveling snow, and everyone, regardless of what shape they’re in, should drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks. Of course, if you think you’re experiencing a heart attack, you should stop immediately and call 911.

Plofsky notes that winter-related injuries include not just those incurred in day-to-day activity but those that result from winter sports such as ice-skating, skiing, snowboarding and sledding. 

“Make sure one’s equipment fits properly and wear a helmet to prevent head injuries,” Plofsky advised. Skate in the direction of the group when ice-skating, and stay on marked courses when skiing.

Even in the winter, it’s important to apply sun block, because snow can increase one’s exposure to the sun’s rays, risking serious sunburn, he added. Perhaps most importantly, Plofsky said, people should not push their abilities when engaging in any winter sports or activities.   

Parents should keep an eye on kids when they are skating or sledding and be extra careful to limit exposure of infants and the elderly to cold weather. When it gets bitterly cold, Plofsky advises to watch for symptoms of hypothermia, which include a lack of coordination and confusion, as well as frostbite, which can occur in as little as five minutes and can make skin start to look blotchy or red.

The doctor urges people who think they may have frostbite not to put cold hands or feet directly into hot water. Tepid water, however, is okay.

As for avoiding slips and falls? Plofsky advises people to salt their sidewalks and driveways, and, choose shoes or boots that offer good traction.

Oh yes, and if you’re going to get up on a ladder to put up Christmas lights, get a family member to spot you. 

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