Winter is upon us, and when weather becomes severe it’s important to understand the risks that often accompany Oregon winters.

The following guide will help you understand the dangers of frigid temperatures, accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, as well as how to keep your home warm, where to find food and clothing support, emergency warming shelters for you and your family, and special services and benefits for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members who may need extra help this time of year, such as heaters and portable power supplies.

Your heart

Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. Many people may face an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest after shoveling heavy snow. The American Heart Association urges caution when picking up that shovel or even starting the snowblower.

What to know about heart health in the cold:

• If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice when it comes to shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold.
• Give yourself a break. Take frequent breaks during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body. But remember, even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait to call 911.
• Don’t drink alcoholic before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol can make you feel warmer and cause you to underestimate the extra strain your body is under in the cold.

Winter asthma

Wintertime can be a potentially dangerous time of year for many people with asthma. On one hand, breathing in cold, dry air can trigger an asthma attack. On the other hand, staying inside with the heat on and widows shut can also expose you to more indoor allergens, irritants and respiratory viruses that can also trigger an asthma attack.

Tips on managing asthma in cold weather:

• Keep your mouth and nose shielded with a scarf to warm the air before you breathe it in.
• Before heading out for physical activity such as jogging or hiking, warm up inside by walking in place, hopping or dancing for a few minutes to help your lungs perform better outside.
• If you have exercise-induced asthma, your doctor may recommend you use a short-acting albuterol inhaler 15-20 minutes before exercise.
• Use humidifiers in your home if possible, and keep them free of mold.
• Fill out and follow your Asthma Action Plan.
• If you experience asthma symptoms frequently in cold weather, talk with your doctor about a long-term treatment plan.
• WATCH this short video about winter asthma.

Learn more about cold weather asthma here.

Hypothermia and frostbite

It’s important to understand the difference between hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia is typically a more serious medical condition that always requires emergency medical attention, while frostbite (injury from freezing) should be treated by a medical professional but usually does not warrant emergency action. Severe frostbite, however, can lead to amputation.

Hypothermia

• Hypothermia is when the body is losing heat faster than it can produce it.
• While hypothermia is most likely to occur at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at mild temperatures (around 50°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
• Symptoms of hypothermia may include shivering, feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss and slurred speech. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
• If someone’s body temperature is below 95°F, the situation is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
• If medical care is not immediately available, first get the victim to a warm room or shelter. Then, remove any wet clothing, warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head and groin) using skin to skin contact under dry clothing, blankets, towels or sheets, and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. You can give the person warm beverages, but NOT alcohol, and do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• Hypothermia is more likely to happen among older adults with inadequate food, clothing or heating, babies sleeping in cold bedrooms, people who use alcohol or illicit drugs, people experiencing homelessness, hikers, hunters and others who spend long periods of time outdoors in cold weather.

Frostbite

• Symptoms of frostbite include numbness, white or grayish-yellow colored skin, and firm or waxy skin, most often on the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
• While frostbite is characterized by numbness, if you notice redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect exposed skin – frostbite could be beginning.
• Tips to prevent frostbite:
  • Wear several layers of loose clothing, including a hat, and be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant. Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of clothing will hold more body heat than cotton.
  • Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat.
  • Stay dry. Wet clothing chills the body rapidly.
  • Move into warm locations periodically, and move your body – physical activity raises body temperature.
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol causes your body to lose heat more rapidly.

Learn more from these fact sheets on hypothermia and frostbite.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Cold weather often leads people to seek alternative heat sources and fuels, some of which are also sources of carbon monoxide (CO), which is an odorless, colorless poison gas.

What to know about CO poisoning:

• Accidental CO poisoning kills more than 400 people in the United States each year and sends more than 100,000 to the emergency room.
• Do not try to heat your home using gas ranges/ovens, grills, hibachis or portable camp stoves.
• Common signs of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. If anyone shows these signs and may have been exposed to CO, immediately go outside for fresh air. Also, call 911 or the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
• The only way to know if you are being exposed to carbon monoxide is by using a CO detector, which should be installed in each bedroom, tested monthly and batteries replaced twice a year.

Print out this fact sheet on how to prevent CO poisoning.

Staying warm at home

Keep your home’s thermostat set to at least 60°F. Infants may need it even warmer. If you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test the detectors monthly, and replace batteries twice a year.

Additional safety tips for staying warm at home:

• If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year.
• Your ability to produce heat and feel a change in temperature decreases with age. As a result, older people are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. If you are over 65, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it often.
• To the extent possible, weatherproof your home by adding weather-stripping, insulation, insulated doors and storm windows, or thermal-pane windows.
• If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure that they have access to unfrozen water.

Learn how to prepare for and manage a power outage here, and you can also print out this one-page fact sheet to keep handy.

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