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NIA warning
Surviving winter chills can bring new risks
by Linda Nellist

As Pacific Gas & Electric requests increased rates for gas and electric services and other agencies with energy conservation programs work overtime to reach eligible residents, the American Red Cross is offering precautions for cold weather survival. North coast residents may not have to deal with sub-zero temperatures, snow or week after week of clearing ice from cars, sidewalks and buildings, but even a small drop in temperature may equate to discomfort if people are not prepared for it. We are all becoming acutely aware of our energy usage and conserving by turning off lights, moving the thermostat a few degrees lower, or using household appliances less often. We may also be affected again by temporary power outages such as those during the January storms.

Prevent hypothermia

In Humboldt County we want to keep every member of the family safe. Anyone is at risk for hypothermia (a potentially fatal condition in which the body's temperature drops for a prolonged period). This puts older individuals at risk especially if thermostats are lowered to cut heating bills. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has issued a warning about setting thermostats lower.

"Cold indoor temperatures can be dangerous for older people," says Dr. Richard Havlik, MD, MPH, chief of the NIA's Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry. Hypothermia can occur when the body's temperature drops below 96° F , down from the body's usual temperature of 98.6° F. Even a couple of degrees can have a devastating effect if not noticed quickly and treated properly.

Hypothermia is a particular problem for older people who suffer from such conditions as arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, thyroid deficiency, stroke and Parkinson's disease; or take medications such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills or antidepressants, he said.

Dr. Havlik recommends that people older than 60 set their thermostat at 68°F-70°F in living or sleeping areas to avoid hypothermia. If the thermostat is set in the 60s, dress warmly, or if possible, stay under an electric blanket, he suggests. To meet these increased energy needs, low-income seniors may be eligible for federal fuel assistance and home winterization programs.

To prevent hypothermia, the NIA recommends:

o Ask your doctor if the prescription drugs or other over-the-counter drugs you take can affect body temperature regulation.
o Dress warmly in layers of clothing even when indoors. Wear warm clothing to bed and use blankets.
o Ask friends or neighbors to look in daily if you live alone. See if your local community has a telephone check-in or personal visit service.
o Consume hot foods and liquids to raise your body temperature and keep warm.
o Use alcohol moderately, if at all. Avoid alcohol altogether near bedtime.

To determine if an older person is suffering from hypothermia, watch for the "umbles" - stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles, which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness. Specific symptoms include confusion or sleepiness; slowed, slurred speech or shallow breathing; weak pulse; low blood pressure; a change in behavior during cold weather or a change in the way a person looks; chilly rooms or other signs that the person has been in a cold place; excess shivering or no shivering in a cold room; stiffness in the arms or legs; poor control over body movements or slow reactions.

One sure way to detect hypothermia is by taking a person's temperature. A temperature below 96°F will not register on many oral thermometers. If the temperature reading is at or below 96°F, call 911 immediately. If emergency help is not available right away, move the hypothermic person to a warmer location, and wrap him or her in a warm blanket to stop further heat loss. You can also use your own body heat to keep the person warm. Be gentle and do not rub the skin roughly to get circulation going.

The NIA, part of the National Institutes of Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), leads the federal effort conducting research on aging and the special medical, social and behavioral needs of older people. For a list of free brochures and booklets about aging and health topics of interest to older people, call the NIA Information Center at 800-222-2225, or visit the NIA Website: http://www.nih.gov/nia/

Keep your kit ready

When you pack your disaster supplies kit, put in a warm hat, mittens or gloves, extra wool socks and a wool or fleece sweater as well as a lightweight waterproof rain jacket. If you need to leave your home because of flooding or an earthquake, you'll be much more comfortable in a shelter if you can stay warm.

Fire Safety

If you're using alternate heating sources, keep the following precautions in mind.

o Check smoke detectors to be sure they are working. Install new batteries at least once a year.
o Do not use candles unless absolutely necessary. Candle fires are the leading cause of preventable fires in the home.
o Be sure wood stoves and fireplace chimneys are cleaned regularly. Do not place any flammable items near fireplaces.
o Watch for overloaded electrical outlets. Keep extension cords out of walkways, and avoid plugging high-wattage heaters into extension cords.

Food storage safety

Know how to keep food safe if the power goes out. The American Red Cross and USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service are offering "Help! The Power is Out," a handy list of food storage tips.

It covers safe storage of foods in coolers, temperature checks of refrigerated or frozen foods, and how long frozen foods might last. It also contains a list of foods that can be kept and those that should be discarded after a prolonged power outage.

The two-page brochure is available at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center or through the local Red Cross office.

Call the Humboldt County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 443-4521, for a free copy of the "Family Disaster Supplies Kit" brochure or stop by the office at 406 Eleventh Street (corner of 11th & E St.). Also take a look at our web site: www.northcoast.com/~hcarc for links to preparedness information.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer. As a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, the Humboldt County Chapter offers disaster assistance, emergency preparedness education, health and safety classes and service to military families who experience family emergencies. 

Linda Nellist, is Chapter Associate of the American Red Cross. Her e-mail is HCARC@ northcoast.com or call 443-4521 for more information. For the energy assistance grants from RCAA, seniors only call 444-3831, ext. 202.