NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2019 - 21

WINTER/SPRING 2019

AS COLD WEATHER APPROACHES,

With decorations, never leave candles unattended. Use ladders on a flat surface. Always
have a "spotter" assist you when using a ladder.
If you keep an artificial tree, look to see
that it is fire resistant. For real trees,
keep them well watered - the
needles should be green and hard
to pull from the tree. Keep your
decorations away from open
flames. Always check your lights
for damage before hanging them.
While they are pretty, we advise turning
lights off prior to going to bed or keep them on a short timer
so that they are not on and warming overnight.

we think of more efficient ways to keep our homes
(and ourselves) warm. One such approach is utilizing space heaters. While this can be efficient
and effective, there are some important safety
tips that can keep you comfortable and safe. First,
make sure to keep your space heater away from
anything that can catch fire. You should also keep
your space heater away from water and out of the
bathroom. Be mindful of the cord and do not use
long extension cords as they can be trip hazards,
and, in addition to the trauma from the fall, can
cause contact second- and third-degree burns. For
similar reasons, keep children and pets away from
them as well. Many heating devices also produce carbon
monoxide. This gas is colorless, odorless, and is often
undetectable without a CO alarm. Some symptoms can
include lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath,
headaches, and dizziness. Sadly, many of these symptoms
are missed and can result in death. By installing a CO detector,
you can save yourself and your family from tragedy.

If you enjoy winter
sports, please be sure
to wear a helmet, goggles/sunglasses, and other
appropriate safety equipment
to prevent injury. Make sure you
are visible to motor vehicles or plows
to avoid injury. Be mindful of changing
conditions to stay safe.

Part of the fun of the winter is the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Family gatherings, though enjoyable,
may bring some stress as you prepare your home for the holiday.
Injury can compound that stress. With respect to fire safety, when
possible cook on the back burners to prevent children and pets from
tipping hot pots off the stove. Never leave the stove/oven on and
unattended. If indulging on a deep-fried turkey, consider an oil-less
turkey fryer. If not, keep out of reach of pets and
children. Keep far away from guests to
avoid accidental spills or splashes.
Watch temperature closely and
always follow directions
to avoid over-heating
the oil resulting in a
fire. Never place a frozen
turkey in hot oil.

We hope you have a wonderful winter,
a joyful holiday season, and a happy and
healthy new year in 2019. We hope these
tips provide some guidance in avoiding
unnecessary stress as we tackle winter this year.

BRIAN FRANK, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowshiptrained general surgeon subspecializing in trauma and surgical
critical care

N E PA

KATHRYN BOMMER, M.S.N., R.N., Geisinger - CMC
Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Emergency Surgery

VITAL SIGNS

NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2019

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