Winter Safety Tips for the Elderly

Winter is just beginning in New England. The mild weather doesn’t mean that you should be lax in your winter preparation. The unpredictability of winter storms can be extremely dangerous, especially for senior citizens. Here are some ideas from LTS and the CDC to ensure the safety of your elderly loved ones.

In the home -

Staying warm during the winter is top priority. There are always risks involved with home heating, and more fires occur during the winter than any other season. Take these precautions to ensure your elderly loved one is warm and safe.

• Make sure the entire heating system is clean and working. If possible have a professional check it in the fall.
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Be sure to check the batteries and ensure they’re working correctly.
• Pay your elderly loved one a visit, and bring over extra blankets, hats, mittens and scarves.

Your senior neighbors and family members should have a sufficient amount of emergency items stockpiled. These will come in handy in case the weather doesn’t permit them to leave their home.

• Stock up on non-perishable goods as well as a couple of gallons of water.
• Ensure they have candles, matches, flashlights, batteries and a radio easily accessible.
• Provide them with a first aid kit. In addition to that, be sure to get all prescriptions filled ahead of time.

Outside -

• Arrange to have someone shovel the walkways and plow the driveway after a storm.
• Make sure there is sand, salt and kitty litter on the walkways at all times. Place a tin full at the top of the stairs to put on any new patches of ice that develop over night. This will help to prevent any falls on ice.

As always, the most important advice is to check in on your elders! Pay them a visit after a storm, and be sure to give them a call before a storm. This way you can ensure they are safe and prepared for the worst!

Here is a full list of winter home precautions from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/features/winterweather/