Winter poses hazards to senior citizens

To the editor

By:
   I’d like to urge our elders and their families to recognize that winter poses a special threat to seniors.
   Hopefully seniors and those who care for them have taken an opportunity to anticipate the cold weather ahead.
   Always have your furnace checked for proper operation and that it is in good shape also that heating ducts are properly ventilated. Proper ventilation is also a concern if residents use alternative heat from a fireplace, wood stove or space heater. If heating oil is your fuel be sure that enough is on hand.
   Keep your thermostats set at a reasonably warm setting. It has been recommended that older people should set their thermostats to above 65 degrees.
   You should never turn down the heat to save money.
   People who lower the thermostat to reduce heating bills risk developing hypothermia, a potentially fatal condition in which the body temperature drops. At increased risk are older people who take certain medications, drink alcohol, lack proper nutrition, and who have conditions such as arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
   If paying the heating bill is a problem, please call the Department on Aging help line at 908-704-6346. The department can help link eligible people to resources such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
   Some other cold-weather tips from Department on Aging include:
   • Dress in layers, both in and outside.
   • Eat well and drink plenty of water every day.
   • Make sure you have enough of any medications you may need in the house. If this is not possible, make arrangements now with a pharmacy that will deliver.
   • Stock up on some extra food supplies, just in case.
   • Make sure each member of the family knows how to shut off the water in case pipes burst.
   • Prepare your vehicle for winter by checking wipers, tires, lights and fluid levels regularly. Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal. Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
   • Protect against fire. Make sure the smoke detectors are functioning correctly. If your home does not have a fire extinguisher, buy one.
   Do not overload extension cords.
   • If a senior lives in a house, plan now for someone else to shovel the snow when it comes. Do not shovel snow or walk in deep snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor could cause a serious heart condition.
   Hopefully, the above will help keep our seniors safer this winter season.

Michael J. Cappola
Owner, Green Acres
Landscaping & Snowplowing
Raritan Avenue