Keep warm and dry this winter

"Winter is almost upon us once more and it is unfortunately a time of year in which many people become ill and even die as a result of overexposure to the cold", warns Peter Feurstein, operations director at Netcare 911, South Africa's largest private emergency service.

"Every year during winter we have to deal with a number of cases of overexposure, or hypothermia, from around the country," notes Feurstein. "Prolonged exposure to the cold, and especially wet and windy weather, can be dangerous. It can cause the body's temperature to fall and the heartbeat to become erratic. Hypothermia begins to occur when the temperature of the human body falls to below 35°C and becomes dangerous as it starts falling below 28°C."

He says that a large part of the problem in South Africa is that there are many people who are not adequately clothed and sheltered against the cold weather of winter. They are therefore exposed to the elements for long periods and suffer the consequences. Older people and children are the most at risk as their bodies are not as resilient as young adults and adults, but everyone can be seriously affected if they are exposed to the cold for prolonged periods of time.

So, what is the answer to the problem? Stay under shelter and warmly clothed when it is cold and/or rainy. Wear waterproofed clothing if you have to go out in the rain. Do not stay in your wet clothes if you do get wet; rather change into dry ones. Fires and heating can help to warm up your home, but can also bring a new element of danger into the home, warns Feurstein.

Fire and icy pose dangers

"During winter we also have to deal with a lot of burn victims whose fires or heaters have set their homes alight. We at Netcare 911 ask the public to be very vigilant when it comes to fire and heating, which can be exceptionally hazardous. Electric heaters and electric blankets can sometimes cause electrical fires especially when they are not used as instructed or are left on for overly long periods of time. Heaters of all kinds including gas, electric and paraffin are commonly misused or not watched closely enough and set fire to curtains, bedding and other flammable household items."

The dangers fires pose

Some people are also poisoned by excessive smoke and hydrocarbon inhalation as a result of burning fires and paraffin heaters in their shacks during winter. Such poisoning can have all kinds of negative effects on the human body, and carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.

Avoid burning wood that has been painted as this may emit toxic vapours. So too may plastics and rubbers such as those used in the manufacture of tyres. Also avoid burning coal in an open fireplace in your home unless you have a properly designed coal stove or fireplace. There are toxins found in coal that are known carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances. The ongoing inhalation of dust from burning coal is a possible lung cancer risk factor. Gas leaks in people's homes can also poison people and cause gas explosions.

Feurstein says it is vitally important to ensure that you always have "adequate ventilation" through your house or shack if you are burning a fire, paraffin heater or gas heater. This ensures a constant supply of clean air to you and your family and prevents a build-up of excessive amounts of toxic vapours inside.

"It is important that people become aware of the dangers of Hyperthermia, as well as of heating and fire," notes Feurstein. "If we can help to raise awareness about these threats to the health and welfare of many of our people, we may also be able to make a tangible difference to their lives. Be warm but also be wise this winter," he concludes.

Signs of over-exposure to the cold

• Shivering;
  
• Numbness and cramps;
  
• Drowsiness and extreme fatigue;
  
• Confusion;
  
• Blurred vision;
  
• Clumsiness.

Treatment

Move the person to a warmer, dry place;

• If the person is unconscious put them in a comfortable position. If they are not breathing and there is no pulse, commence CPR;
  
• Dry them and put them in dry clothing if available;
  
• Gradually re-warm the person using blankets or sleeping bags, but do not warm them up too suddenly. Do not, for example, put them directly in front of a hot fire or heater as this may put strain on their heart;
  
• If the person is conscious you may give them warm drinks;
  
• Get the individual medical attention.