Earlier this month, the groundhog predicted something we already knew: Six more weeks of winter are on their way. With horrific snow storms making their rounds across the country and frigid temperatures keeping us close to home, be prepared for these four common winter dangers to keep your family safe.
What kid (and adult) doesn't love the thrill of going sledding? It's a fun way to keep kids active during the winter months, but more than 20,000 kids and teens end up in emergency rooms each year due to sledding-related injuries.* Head injuries are by far the most common, due to collisions with other people or objects.
As parents, there's a lot we can do to make sure our kids are having fun safely. Follow these quick tips to ensure a safe trip.
- To prevent frostbite, dress children appropriately in hats, gloves and turtlenecks -- scarves can pose a risk of strangulation.
Make sure your kids wear helmets -- those designed for winter sports work best, but bike helmets can work as a substitute. Choose a sled and hill that's right for you -- sleds should have brakes and steering ability, and hills should be free of obstructions and not lead into traffic or parking lots.On cold winter nights, we see frequent use of candles, fireplaces and space heaters. Unfortunately, four out of five home heating fire deaths are attributed to space heaters alone, primarily due to improper maintenance and keeping them too close to flammable materials such as furniture, curtains and bedding.***
With 50 percent of all home heating fires occurring during December, January and February, take these steps to protect your family.***
Make sure you have a properly working smoke detector. Plan and practice a family escape route, keeping everyone's physical abilities in mind.Drive safely in inclement weather
Driving in winter storms can be dangerous for even the most seasoned drivers. In fact, every year, nearly 900 people are killed and another 76,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet.**** Take, for example, the recent 193-car pileup in Michigan that left one person dead and dozens more injured, not to mention the regional travel nightmare for days afterwards.
Whether you're on the road for your daily commute or taking your family on a winter excursion, always use extra caution during winter precipitation, have an up-to-date emergency kit and remember these tips:
- Regularly check the air pressure in your tires, antifreeze level and wiper fluid.
Stay on top of weather reports and allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Practice safe driving behaviors such as designating a sober driver, refraining from distracted driving and staying well-rested before hitting the roads. Watch your back while shoveling
For most of us, shoveling snow is part of our cold weather routine. Yet every winter, about 100 people in the U.S. die from shoveling-related causes, such as overexertion.** Just recently, 19 people died due to shoveling activity during the Chicagoland blizzard earlier this month -- the victims were predominantly male and over the age of 40. The combination of cold air, increased heart rate and strenuous work is not to be taken lightly.
Before you begin clearing snow-covered surfaces, make sure you're physically prepared for the task, and practice these guidelines:
- Pace yourself as shoveling can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically.
Shovel only fresh snow as it's easier to shovel than the wet, packed-down variety. Push the snow as you shovel -- it's easier on your back than lifting the snow out of the way Don't let cold weather and winter dangers keep you from enjoying the season -- a little preparation goes a long way.
Visit the National Safety Council at nsc.org and follow us on Twitter at @NSCsafety.
Deborah A.P. Hersman is president and CEO of the National Safety Council, an organization focused on saving lives and preventing injuries at work, in homes and communities and on the roads.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.