For large parts of the United States, the past few days have brought… Lots of snow and lots of cold. When there is snow and cold, there are slips, falls and ice-related injuries.
Authorities, first responders and medical professionals say that by following a few common-sense rules, many of these problems can be reduced or avoided altogether.
Of slowing down while Driving on smooth roads To mimic the slow walk of penguins and not assume that lake ice is thick enough, changing behavior could keep people out of hospital emergency rooms.
“If there’s ice, there’s danger,” said Dr. Robert Wahl, vice chair of emergency medicine at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township, Michigan.
Southeastern Michigan, along with much of the eastern United States, has been in a deep freeze for about a week Extreme cold Snowfall and falling temperatures have left streets, driveways, parking lots and sidewalks dangerous.
When people outdoors get stuck on ice, Wahl says, emergency rooms typically see three main groups of injuries: closed head injuries, extended hand and wrist injuries, and hip injuries.
Closed head injuries can be a real problem, especially for older adults, Wahl said, while outstretched hand injuries from trying to break a fall are painful, but most don’t require surgery.
“Both hips are broken. They 100% need surgery,” he said.
Dr. Alexander Cotter of Denver Spine and Orthopedic Center recommends adopting the “Penguin Protocol” of a little shuffling gait while leaning forward to keep your center of gravity low.
“People think all the time that if you slip, it won’t be a big deal,” he said. “You’re in a hurry, you’re looking at your phone and suddenly it slips. If you’re swaying, and you slow down, you’ll be safer.”
Cotter specializes in physical medicine, rehabilitation and pain management. When falling, he says people should try not to fall on their outstretched hands to avoid serious injuries to joints like the elbows and rotator cuffs.
“Stay hands free,” he said. “Consider dropping your chin down to protect your head. Leaning forward helps prevent falling backwards. With a forward fall, you can often take it over your shoulder.”
You should also consider wearing shoes or boots with tread and traction and limit the amount of items you carry.
“Maybe don’t try to be a superhero and take it all in at once,” Cotter said. “When you rush, that’s when you get hurt. Be aware of what you’re doing no matter what happens. They’re common sense things and it’s no one’s fault for not thinking about these things.”
Just before Current Arctic explosionWith daytime temperatures near freezing and nighttime lows near or below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17 degrees Celsius), Michigan’s Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has already been busy on a few of the county’s 450 lakes.
The county borders Detroit to the north and northwest.
“Before the cold snap, we made six ice calls in nine days – People through the ice “Or animals through the ice,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said Tuesday. “Ice should not be considered safe just because we had a few cold days or because you measured in one place.”
It’s more about what you can’t see, according to Bouchard.
He said: “There are currents under the ice. It is possible that there are springs under the ice that melt it in one place.” “We have pulled two snowmobiles through the ice this year and saved two people from a situation where they could have died.”
They have also seen animals die. “We remind people that if there is an animal on the ice, even if it is a family pet, running out there does not help the pet and certainly does not help you.”
People who hike, fish or snowmobiler on the ice should measure the thickness of the ice in the area they plan to be in, and not assume the thickness will be the same in all locations, Bouchard said.
He added proper weather and safety equipment.
“Keep ice picks in your pocket to pull yourself out of the water,” he said. “When you get back on the ice, stay flat. You need to distribute your weight.”
When driving conditions deteriorate During a winter storm, it’s important to take your time and not rush, according to Kansas City Chief of Battalion Riley Nolan.
“The main thing is for people to be patient,” Nolan said. “Leave enough time, and don’t rush anywhere you want to go.”
Nolan also suggests making sure to bring some rock salt, a small shovel, and extra layers of warm clothing covering your hands and face to keep yourself warm if your car gets stuck in the snow.
“If you break down on the side of the road or have an accident, stay in your car. Don’t get out and drive around. Stay with your car, and stay warm,” Nolan said, adding that it’s important if you’re stuck and staying warm by running your car, to make sure your tailpipe is clean to avoid getting hurt.
It’s also important for motorists to compensate for decreased tire traction and the distance between your car and the car in front of you, said AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland.
“You definitely don’t want to be on snowy and icy roads,” she said. “You want to allow enough room for maintenance vehicles. With snowplows, stay at least 200 feet (60.9 meters) away from them.”
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Williams reported from Detroit. Ingram reported from Kansas City, Missouri.