Winter alert: Tips to safe and healthy during extreme cold

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

cold, chilling rain, snow, and wind can have an impact on our health.
Recently, the death rates in the US have been between 8-12% more during the months of winter, according to mortality data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 1979, in general, over 19,000 Americans have faced death, particularly from diseases due to cold, as per the death certificates.

This rise has been related to changes in the human body and behavior seasonally and growing exposure to respiratory diseases, as stated by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Caring for the elderly and children

Older adults and infants should be prioritized at the time of a winter storm, according to Dr Tyler Barrett who is the executive medical director of emergency services at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. This is because babies very easily lose body heat and the elderly tend to create less body heat. Hypothermia occurs when the body is beginning to lose heat quicker than it can produce.
One should ensure that children who are younger than 1 year are sleeping in warm rooms, preferably between 68 to 72 degrees. Again if one has neighbors or friends who are older than 65 years, they should be checked on very often to ensure that their houses are sufficiently heated.
It is also noted by Barrett that hypothermia risk increases once the home temperature is under 50 degrees for a long period. Pets should be kept indoors during cold weather conditions, however, if they step outside, their legs should be rigorously cleaned as well as their bottom to make sure they are devoid of snow when they step inside.

How to stay safe indoors

While staying indoors, charcoal or gas