Emergency medicine and EMS physician offers tips for a safe and healthy winter

Winter is coming and bringing with it snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Now’s a great time to prepare in order to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

Nik Vuljaj, MD, FACEP, medical director for M Health Fairview emergency medical services, says his team responds to accidents and injuries on roadways, icy sidewalks, and any hill where people are skiing or sledding. He offers tips for preventing trips to emergency departments.

Safety often starts with having the right gear for the elements. That includes warm coats, gloves, hats, socks, and boots with good grip that fit well. Here’s what else you need to stay safe in cold temperatures.

Cover up

Whether you’re playing in the snow or working outside, it’s important to have proper gear to protect you from the winter chill. The first sign of problematic cold exposure is frostnip, which might feel like a tingling of the nose, fingers, or toes. This is your sign to cover up better or to go inside. 

The next stage is frostbite. In this stage, the skin might feel numb and warm to the touch. You might see patches of red, brown, or purple skin. You need to warm up to prevent serious damage. Make sure to watch kids for signs of cold exposure as well. Sometimes they can get so into their outdoor adventures that they might not realize their socks are wet or that they lost a mitten two snow angels ago.

Particularly, if you are going to be outside for a while, make sure your footwear is up to the task. Start with thick socks and waterproof boots. Vuljaj recommends having an extra pair of socks in case yours get wet.

“Damage to your toes occurs if your feet are exposed to cold, wet conditions for prolonged period of time,” Vuljaj said. “If that's repetitive, as for someone who works outside, it affects the nerve endings, it affects the blood vessels, and it can eventually even lead to death of the tissue.”

Prepare for winter driving

Slow your speed on snowy or icy roads – even if you’re a good driver with winter tires. Spinouts can still happen and if they do or you get stranded, call 911 right away for help. Especially during a storm when many calls for help are coming in, it might take a while for emergency responders to arrive.

Have extra clothing and blankets in the car to keep you warm so that you're not exposed to the elements and the cold,” Vuljaj said. “Simple cold exposure can turn into frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia, which then can eventually lead to even cardiac arrest.”

Because the fingers, toes, ears first affected by cold temperatures, Vuljaj recommends keeping extra hats, gloves, and socks in the car. It can also be helpful to keep an emergency kit with water and snacks.

Shovel with care

Shoveling snow is linked to an increase in calls for help. Cold exposure combined with the physical exertion of shoveling heavy snow can lead to heart attack or even cardiac arrest.

“We even see it in middle-aged people who feel like they’re in good shape,” Vuljaj said. 

He recommends outsourcing snow removal to a company or young person or getting a snowblower or other equipment to make the job easier. If neither option is available, try to get a spotter – preferably one who is trained in CPR – who can keep an eye on you while you’re outside and call 911 if something happens. 

Breaking the chore up can also help prevent emergencies. If several inches are in the forecast, consider going out multiple times, so you’re clearing two inches at a time rather than 12 at once. Another option is to shovel for about 20 minutes then go inside for a break before going out to clear the next section.

Walk like a penguin

Broken wrists are so common in the winter months that there’s a term for it in emergency medicine: FOOSH, which stands for fall on outstretched hand.

“There's no way that a winter season will go by without me seeing at least a handful of those injuries,” Vuljaj said.

To prevent falls, wear boots that fit your feet well and walk slowly. Think of a penguin taking small steps with their flippers at their sides. 

If you do start to fall, keep your hands to your side or in your pockets, and twist from your shoulder into the fall. That way you take the impact with your lower body rather than focusing it on the wrist. Injuries can still happen, but they tend to be less severe, Vuljaj said.

Wear a helmet

Whether you’re playing hockey, leisurely skating on a holiday-themed rink, or barreling down a hill on skis, a snowboard, or a sled, helmets can decrease the chance of head injuries, concussions, perhaps even head bleeds and skull fractures, Vuljaj said.

“Just like we see head injuries with the summer activities, we see enough head injuries with the winter activities as well,” he said.

Ankle, knee, and shoulder injuries are also common with skiing, snowboarding, and skating, so use pads and make sure boots and skates fit well.

We’re here for you

If you do need help this winter, our emergency medicine team is ready. Call 911 or find an emergency department or urgent care location near you.