Ways winter can kill you

Cold weather causes 17 times as many deaths as hot weather, according to a 2015 study of 13 countries, leading to hypothermia, frostnip and frostbite, heart and breathing risks, and ice-related risks of falling, among other dangers. Here’s how to stay safe.

Shovel right to protect your heart

People with underlying heart or circulatory disease are at increased risk of trouble when the temperature takes a dip because cold weather can put more stress on your ticker. “Your body is smart, and when it senses cold it protects your core by decreasing blood flow to your extremities,” says Dan Weinstein, MD, Medical Director of the University of Vermont Medical Center Urgent Care and Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. This process, called peripheral vasoconstriction, may increase your blood pressure and the work that your heart needs to do to pump blood. “If you add physical exertion such as shoveling into the mix that can cause additional work for the heart.”

Reduce the strain by trying this snow shoveling technique.

Never Shovel Snow Again with This Brilliant Shortcut

It’s winter time, which means you’ll hear a lot of talk about places being “blanketed with snow.” It’s a lovely metaphor—who doesn’t like a cozy blanket, especially when it’s zero degrees outside and the wind is actually trying to kill you? However, when it comes to shoveling those “blankets” of snow, few people take this metaphor to it’s natural conclusion: a blanket should be rolled, not scooped.

For a brilliant demonstration of the snow-rolling method, we turn to YouTuber Joshua Jordan. The West Virginia native shows us how the most efficient way to rid a yard of snow is by rolling it up like a cozy carpet, not scooping it like so much elephant dung.

If this tip seems too good to be true, it might be if the snow in your hood is too wet (if you can’t roll a snowball, you can’t roll a snow-carpet), too shallow, or if you live in a city where narrow steps — not luxurious lawns — are your nemesis.

Never fear. If the snow-roller hack doesn’t work for you, consider these pro tips from around the web, and heed the tips doctors wish you knew about shoveling snow.

• Dress in layers. As you shovel, your body will heat up, and you’ll probably end up casting the parka aside.

• Choose the right shovel. Don’t waste your time with a plastic one, or anything labeled “ergonomic.” Opt for a snow shovel with a straight wooden handle and reinforced steel blade that won’t buckle under the weight of tightly-packed snow.

• Remember that shoveling snow is a lever system: the shovel is the lever, the snow is the load, and you are the fulcrum. At the length of a typical shovel, it takes about 16 pounds of force to lift six pounds of snow—however, if you mover your body closer to the snow, you can cut that force in half.

• Be sure to lift with your legs. Keep your torso upright, and you’ll save your back from the strain of that lever action.

• Never move the same snow twice. Decide beforehand where you want to set up your snow dump-heap, and start with the snow furthest from that point. The heap will grow as you work closer to it, leaving the shortest distance (and easiest work) for the end of the job.

• You’re not done until you’ve salted the area to keep slippery ice from forming in your absence. It’s the literal salt in the wound of that nasty blizzard.

Use the three-feet rule to heat your home

When the mercury drops below even 50 degrees, the space heaters come out of deep storage. And sometimes, they get a little too hot, sparking devastating home fires. Fixed and portable space heaters are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths, according to the American Red Cross. When using a space heater, make sure to place it on a hard, level surface, and keep anything flammable, such as paper, clothing, bedding, rugs, or curtains, at least three feet away, according to guidelines from the American Red Cross. Always turn the heater off before leaving the room or going to bed. And never use a stove or oven to heat the home because of the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning, the Red Cross warns. Candles are a fire hazard too. If you’re a fan of candlelight in the dark winter months, consider using new Lucid liquid paraffin candles that will self-extinguish when they tip, instead of spreading their flame. These tricks can help you keep your home toasty for less money.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Trying to keep warm in a closed-up house could lead to risky practices. “Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement, and garage,” warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Generators should be placed at least 20 feet from the house. If the CO detector (which should get fresh batteries twice a year) does go off, leave the house immediately and call 911. In addition, never run a vehicle inside an attached garage, says the National Safety Council.

Don’t let ice trip you up

Ice, especially when it forms with cycles of thawing followed by cold, frequently causes unexpected falls, Dr. Weinstein says. “Often the ice is particularly difficult to see because it’s covered in snow, or it’s a type of very clear ice that is difficult to tell is coating a surface, known as ‘black ice’ in Vermont.” In addition, anyone having trouble with balance, such as the elderly or those with certain neurologic conditions, should take extra precautions. Weinstein advises using footwear with good, textured soles (even adding gear to your boots and shoes to increase traction), and when walking, keeping your center of gravity over your feet. At home, consider sprinkling a non-salt ice-melting product such as Safe Paw Ice Melter, which is safe for animals and children, on your porch and walkway. For driveways, sidewalks and steps, try Traction Magic, an environmentally safe way to prevent slips and falls—and even keep tires from slipping, preventing car accidents.

Drive defensively

Winter roads can create dangerous driving conditions, but AAA says there are a number of ways to increase your chance of safe travels. For starters, be prepared by checking the weather before leaving the house, keeping your gas tank at least half full at all times, and making sure basic maintenance is up to date—for example, keeping tires properly inflated. If you find yourself driving in precarious conditions, AAA says a few rules can help prevent accidents, like avoiding cruise control on slippery surfaces, accelerating and decelerating slowly, and increasing your following distance to 8 to 10 seconds, so if the car in front of you swerves, skids or crashes, you have enough time to adjust your course to steer clear of it. Here’s how to survive if your car breaks down in a winter storm.

Protect the vulnerable

Tiny tots and senior citizens could be at greater risk when exposed to temperature extremes. “The very young have increased surface area compared to their overall volume and this can lead to increased heat loss,” says Dr. Weinstein. “Elderly people often have decreased reserves to adapt to the cold. They tend to have less of a fat layer below the skin to help stay warm.” In addition, those with certain autoimmune conditions, such as Raynaud’s, may be at increased risk of cold-related problems. “For some people with asthma, cold weather may trigger symptoms,” Dr. Weinstein adds. “If you have cold-induced asthma, be sure to bring your rescue inhaler. Breathing through a bandana or scarf may help with prevention.” (By the way, here’s why you should never, ever eat snow.)

Fight frostbite

A white or gray-ish yellow area of skin, numbness, or skin that feels abnormally firm or waxy are all signs of frostbite, which you may not be able to detect yourself because the frozen tissues have lost sensation, says the CDC. While you should ideally seek medical care immediately, if you can’t, get into a warm room, avoid walking on or rubbing frostbitten areas of the body (which can increase damage), immerse the affected area in water that is warm but not hot, and don’t attempt to warm the body with other heating devices such as a radiator because the numb tissue could easily burn. These steps, however, are not substitutes for medical attention, which should be sought as soon as possible. Learn more about the first aid moves that could save fingers and toes from frostbite. To help prevent your digits from getting so cold in the first place, consider carrying portable hand warmers, like HotHands Hand Warmers by Uline, when you know you’ll be outdoors for an hour or more.

Hold off hypothermia

When exposed to cold, the body loses heat faster than it can replace it, and prolonged exposure exhausts your body’s stored energy, says the CDC. The resulting drop in temperature can affect the brain, leaving victims unable to think or move normally, which puts them in increased danger. Hypothermia often strikes older adults who lack adequate heat, clothing or food, babies who sleep in cold bedrooms, people who remain outside for extended periods such as the homeless and outdoor workers, or people who use alcohol or illicit drugs. Signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, confusion, fumbling hands, memory problems, slurred speech, and drowsiness, according to the CDC. Signs in infants include bright red, cold skin and very low energy. If you notice these signs, and the person’s temperature falls below 95 degrees, seek medical attention right away. If care is unavailable, get the victim to a warm area, remove any wet clothing, warm the center of the body using an electric blanket or skin-to-skin contact, give warm beverages (only if the person is conscious), and get medical help as soon as possible. Even if a person appears to have passed, the CDC adds, CPR should be provided because they could be successfully resuscitated. (Here are 12 ways your body deals with frigid temperatures.)