Winter Sports Safety Tips

During winter, it may be tempting to stay inside where it’s warm. But consider taking a break from your coziest blanket and cup of hot cocoa, and instead grabbing skis or a snowboard!

With the 2014 Olympics gearing up and winter in full swing, it’s a great time to talk about winter sports to try, as well as some safety tips to keep in mind. Winter sports like ice skating, hockey, skiing, and snowboarding are all great ways to get outdoors, enjoy the weather, and burn calories. But these sports come with a high risk of injury. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010 more than 440,000 people were treated for winter sports-related injuries. There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of injury during your favorite winter activities. Check out these tips:

·         Warm up thoroughly by stretching before playing or participating. Cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.

·         Wear appropriate protective gear, like waterproof boots, goggles, pads, helmets and gloves—and make sure these items work properly before use!

·         Wear several layers of light, loose, and water-resistant clothing. Layering allows you to accommodate to your body’s constantly changing temperature. And don’t forget to wear socks!

·         Take lessons before going out and trying a sport! Having a professional teach you how to stop or fall correctly, for example, can decrease your risk of injury drastically.

·         Pay attention to weather conditions,incoming storms or severe drops in temperature. Avoid going out to play winter sports in inclement weather.

·         Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your activities.

·         Never participate in a winter sport alone. If you become injured to the point where you can’t walk or become unconscious, you could expose yourself to hypothermia.

This winter, don’t be the only one inside while everyone else is outside having fun! But remember, if you go out and participate in any winter sports, be sure to keep your safety top of mind by preparing appropriately.

Remember, if you are a Health Advocate member, you can always call your Personal Health Advocate for assistance. If you injure yourself, your Personal Health Advocate can help you find an in-network physician or medical center, review your medical bill for errors, and more!

Be a sport! Tweet us your favorite winter activity or Winter Olympic event @HealthAdvocate using #WinterSports

Protect Yourself Against Hypothermia and Frostbite

From skiing to shoveling snow, when doing any type of activity outdoors during winter, take precautions to protect yourself from dangerous conditions like hypothermia and frostbite.

What is hypothermia?

Hypothermia is when your body’s internal temperature drops to dangerous levels. When a person is exposed to cold temperatures, their body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure will eventually use up their body’s stored energy. When someone’s body temperature is too low, it affects the brain, making them unable to think clearly or move well. Hypothermia happens even faster if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Warning signs of hypothermia: 

• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion and/or memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

What is frostbite?

Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing. Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color in the affected areas—most often the nose, ears, cheeks, chin and fingers or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can even lead to amputation of affected areas.

Warning signs of frostbite:

• A white grayish-yellow skin area

• Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy

• Numbness

What to do if you suspect hypothermia or frostbite

If you or someone you know is showing signs of frostbite or hypothermia, immediately seek medical attention. These are serious medical conditions that require emergency medical assistance.

Ways to reduce your risk

Wearing appropriate water- and wind-proof clothing and equipment, layering your clothes, and staying as dry as possible are all great ways to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Additionally, make sure to always be with someone else when you are outdoors in the winter. In addition to the fun aspects of having a buddy along while you ski (or even to help you clear your car of snow), if anything happens to you while you’re outside, your friend or family member is there to assist you and call for help.

More resources for help

For more information on hypothermia and frostbite, visit the links below:

Red Cross: Hypothermia and Frostbite

Centers for Disease and Control: Emergency Preparedness and Response- Hypothermia

Centers for Disease and Control: Emergency Preparedness and Response- Frostbite

Remember, if you are a Health Advocate member, you can always call your Personal Health Advocate for assistance with finding an in-network physician or medical center, understanding your health insurance benefits, and more!

Keep your pets safe this holiday season

Decorating your house is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, but many people don’t know that some common holiday plants and decorations contain toxins. Plants like mistletoe and holly berries, and decorations like tinsel and wire, can have harmful effects if ingested by pets (and children, too). Read on to learn more about which plants and decorations are potentially dangerous, and how to keep your pets out of the veterinary hospital this holiday season.

Harmful Plants

In general, you should keep all plants out of your pets’ reach. But if you do have these plants in your home, heed these safety tips:

Poinsettias: The thick sap inside the stem is toxic, and if ingested by your dog or cat, your pet may show symptoms like vomiting, lack of appetite, and depression. If your pet ingests part of a poinsettia, consider restricting their food and water for a few hours, as symptoms should only last an hour or two. If symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian.

Mistletoe: Mistletoe berries are the most toxic part of the plant, but its effects are fairly mild. If ingested, your pet may show similar symptoms as eating poinsettia, but the real risk is dehydration, so encourage your pet to drink water. If your pet won’t drink up, or if it is very young or very old, call your vet, as it may require medical treatment.

Holly: The spines on holly leaves are sharp and can cause injury to an animal’s mouth, tongue, and lips. Holly also has some chemical content that is toxic, and ingesting holly leaves can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. Call your vet if your pet has eaten holly. 

Lilies: Lily plants can be toxic to cats, causing kidney injury with potentially devastating, even fatal, effects. Pet owners should seek veterinary attention immediately if their cat has ingested a lily plant.

Harmful Decorations

Tinsel can damage the intestines and cause severe injuries when ingested.

Pets often chew electric wires, like the ones used for holiday lights. They can look especially appetizing to younger animals. When chewed, electric wires can potentially shock, burn, or electrocute, causing harm to your pet. Unplug cords when they’re not in use, place them in cord protectors, or coat them with a non-toxic spray to deter chewing, which you can find at your local pet supply store.

Glass ornaments and ornament hooks are hazardous, too. Pets can ingest glass splinters or hooks, causing internal damage. Hang sharp and/or breakable ornaments higher on the tree, so they are out of reach of your pets. If you notice an ornament has fallen off the tree and broken, clean it up as soon as possible.

Make sure your Christmas tree is secure. Ensure that your pet can’t bump it and send it toppling over. Get a strong and unwavering base to hold the tree, and anchor the tree to the wall or ceiling. Also, choose a smart location for the tree—don’t place it near things that a pet can jump onto and use as a launch pad to then jump onto the tree.

Ensure holiday treats are out of reach of pets. If you are hosting friends and family, keep food platters on counters and tables that are difficult for pets to access. Remind your guests to please not feed “people food” to your pets—some foods can harm pets (for example, dogs can get sick from eating chocolate).

Also make sure that Christmas stockings are hung out of reach of curious pets, especially if your stockings contain treats or toiletries (like candy or toothpaste) that are attractive to pets, but that can harm them if ingested.

Safety Tips

Monitor your plants. Place plants out of reach, and check for any signs of chewed or missing leaves. If unsure about whether a plant could be harmful or not, look it up to check its toxicity (the ASPCA’s website provides helpful information on understanding what plants may be harmful to your pet). In many cases, the safest course of action for pet owners is to just not keep plants in your home.

Monitor your decorations. Decorations like bubble lights, tinsel, and ornaments can be very inviting to your pets. Make sure you place them out of reach, and consider avoiding tinsel altogether. 

Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the emergency vet number posted. Keep the poison center number handy, too. If you suspect a pet poisoning, do not wait to call. Prompt attention may make a crucial difference in your pet's health.

Be sure to let other fellow pet owners aware of potentially harmful holiday plants and décor to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

[Source: petpoisonhelpline.com, Dr. Lisa Murphy and Dr. Kenneth Drobatz of Penn Vet]

Tips for Safer Swimming

Whether at a poolside barbecue, a rope swing at the lake or splashing around in the ocean, one of the best ways to beat the heat in the summer is going for a nice swim with friends or family. But exercise caution, as this fun activity can turn into an emergency in a split second. A 2012 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that drowning was the number one cause of injury-related deaths worldwide, and the highest rates of drowning were among children.

According to the American Red Cross Association, the following swimming safety measures can help you avoid danger at the pool, ocean, or lake:

·         Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.

·         Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.

·         Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

·         Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

·         Maintain constant supervision of children in or near the water.

·         Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in professional, age-appropriate courses, such as Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.

·         If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.

·         Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

·         If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

·         Keep appropriate safety equipment nearby, such as reaching or throwing equipment (life preservers), a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.

·         Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

·         In addition to knowing how to swim, it’s also important to learn how to help in the case of an emergency.  Enroll in professional courses, such as the Red Cross’s home pool safety, water safety, or first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.

·         Protect your skin in and out of the water. Wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30, and be sure to reapply once you have toweled off after a swim.

·         It’s important to stay properly hydrated while swimming.  Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.

This summer, be sure to heed these swimming safety tips before jumping into the pool or ocean –it could save the life of you or someone you love.

If you’re a Health Advocate member, remember that your Personal Health Advocate is a great resource for many of your health- and insurance-related needs.  If you need to find a new, in-network doctor, investigate a denial of coverage, or find credible health or safety information, give us a call—we’re happy to help!

Avoid Wearing Star Spangled Bandages!

How to stay safe on the 4^thof July

Each summer across the United States, millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day with friends and family by grilling burgers and hot dogs, splashing around in the pool, and enjoying the sights and sounds of a fireworks display. However, each year many 4^th of July celebrations end with a trip to the emergency room due to an accidental firework mishap. In fact, around the July 4^thholiday, more than 200 people each day take a trip to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS). In order to raise awareness and aim to prevent fireworks-related injuries, June and the earliest part of July (on and around the July 4^th holiday) is Fireworks Safety Month.

In 2011, the CPCS conducted a study of fireworks injuries occurring from June 17 through July 17 and found that:

·         The most injured body parts were hands and fingers, which accounted for almost half of all bodily injuries. The second most injured parts were the head and face.

·         More than half the injuries were burns.

·         70% of these injuries happened to men; men 25-44 years old were had more injuries than other age groups.

·         Of the 4 deaths that occurred during fireworks-related incidents in 2011, illegal or homemade fireworks were involved in each case.

Prevent Blindness America recommends that nonprofessionals refrain from using fireworks, noting that the safest way for you and your family to enjoy fireworks is by watching a professional fireworks display.

The best way to reduce your risk of injury is to be prepared—educate yourself about firework safety. The CPCS offers some safety tips in case you happen to be around nonprofessionals using fireworks: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks/. 

Remember, if you or someone you love is injured due to a firework-related injury, seek immediate medical attention. It’s always a good idea to have established a primary care physician for yourself and your family in case an emergency arises and you need medical advice. It’s also helpful to know in advance which local urgent care centers are in-network with your insurance plan. If you are a Health Advocate member and need help finding an in-network primary care physician or urgent care center in your area, call us today to speak to a Personal Health Advocate who can help you with this and many other healthcare- and insurance-related issues.