Cold Weather Tips:

• Dress warmly and stay dry.,

• Avoid overexertion.

• Monitor wind chill.

• Keep off ice.

• Be cautious about traveling.

• Listen for winter storm watches and warnings.

Visit the following websites for more information:

Red Cross

Cold Weather Safety

Cold Weather Living

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious health threat, especially during the winter months, when CO poisoning is the most common type of fatal poisoning in the United States.  It has been estimated that more than 40,000 people per year seek medical attention for CO poisoning in the U.S.  More than half of CO poisoning deaths result from malfunctioning or improperly vented combustion appliances.  Using a CO detector and following some basic maintenance steps on indoor heating equipment could prevent many tragedies.  For more information visit the following websites:

AboutCarbonMonoxide.com

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Proper hand washing:

• Use soap and running water.

• Rub your hands together for 20 seconds.

• Wash all parts of your hands, including:
• Backs of hands,
• Wrists,
• Between fingers, and
• Under fingernails.

• Rinse well.

• Dry hands.

Hot Weather Tips:

• Limit your outdoor activity as much as possible, taking frequent breaks.

• If your home is not air-conditioned, stay in the coolest part of your home if you cannot leave. Try to spend at least a few hours every day in an air-conditioned building (library, mall, theater, etc.).

• Do not leave children or pets unattended in cars.

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers.

• Drink plenty of water unless you are on a fluid-restricted diet. A good rule of thumb is if you are thirsty, you are already beginning to dehydrate.

• Take cool baths or showers.

• Eat cool, light meals that include salt unless, you are on a salt-restricted diet. Avoid high protein or fatty foods. Fruits and vegetables are recommended.

• Seek medical attention immediately if you feel nauseated, weak, dizzy or confused.

• Check frequently on neighbors, especially those who are at high risk.

• Infants, seniors, economically disadvantaged, chronically ill/disabled, and people taking certain prescription medications (diuretics, sedatives and narcotics) are at high risk for heat-related illnesses and should be encouraged to seek relief in air-conditioned buildings.