In winter, muscles have a tendency to become nearly as inflexible as a plaster cast. That can result in an increased chance for injuries.
States with freezing temperatures have three times more emergency room visits during the winter season than those with milder climates, according to Truveta Research.
Wrist fractures are the most common injuries, and they occur most often in those 65 and older and in those younger than 18. It is natural to put out an arm to help break a fall. An ankle dislocation or fracture was the next most common injury.
“Staying safe during the winter season requires awareness and preparation,” said Lucas County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi. “During the winter months, the number of slip-and-fall incidents tends to increase. Slips and falls are common on icy surfaces, often leading to sprains, fractures, or even head injuries.”
One interesting subset of falls and injuries are related to “decking the halls” with holiday decor. From a nasty bite to remove a Christmas ornament from a dog’s mouth to a flash fire from burning wrapping papers in the fireplace, expect the weird — and beware of the obvious falls from unsteady ladders. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there are about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries each day of the holiday season, ranging from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. Half of these involve falls. During the 2023 holiday season, about 14,900 people were treated in hospital emergency departments due to holiday decorating-related injuries.
Mr. Baroudi suggests wearing slip-resistant shoes, de-icing walkways, and taking smaller steps.
Dr. William Saunders, chief of emergency medicine at the University of Toledo Medical Center, suggests enlisting help. Friends, family, and neighbors often are willing to lend a hand.
And don't let too many shovelfuls of snow push a diligent heart into cardiac distress.
“Your body is burning a lot of extra energy just staying warm, and then we put on more layers and that makes physical activity more difficult,” said Dr. Christopher Bazzoli, an emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic.
Divide the routine into steps or keep ahead of the snow by shoveling before even an inch accumulates, then another inch, then another inch. It won't be like the Blizzard of 1978 that might keep a homeowner shoveling for days.
The least amount of snowfall in our region — a total of 9.6 inches — was recorded by the National Weather Service for the winter of 2023 to 2024. That trend is expected to continue into the near future.
“Snow shoveling can cause back injuries like strains or herniated discs,” Mr. Baroudi said. “Using proper posture and lifting techniques, as well as taking frequent breaks to avoid overexertion, will help to prevent injuries from shoveling snow.”
Too much fun?
Winter sports such as skiing and sledding also pose risks for sprains, fractures, and head injuries, according to Mr. Baroudi. And then, there is snowmobiling. With 3,288 linear miles of freshwater coastline, Michigan poses some unique dangers as the most popular locations for this activity are on the Straits of Mackinac and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.
There is no safe ice-thickness, according to the Michigan Department of Resources. The strongest ice is clear with a bluish tint. Weak ice is formed by melted and refrozen snow and appears milky. Ice weakens with age.
Speed is the main factor in fatal and serious injury snowmobile accidents, the MDNR reports. There were 19 snowmobile fatalities across Michigan during the 2022 to 2033 season and four deaths during the 2023-24 season.
“People often get caught up in the excitement of the moment and overlook winter safety,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, with the DNR Law Enforcement Division's Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section.
Skin care
While sunburns are a summer-related malady, frostbite and hypothermia take their place during the winter.
“Frostbite and hypothermia are other risks in freezing temperatures,” Mr. Baroudi said. “Wearing warm, insulated clothing and limiting time outdoors when it's extremely cold will protect against frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops too low, so dressing in layers, staying dry, and avoiding prolonged exposure to the cold will help to prevent it.”
Early stages of frostbite might include a tingling or burning sensation, especially in the extremities. This is followed by numbness where the skin may become pale, white, or bluish and will feel hard or cold to the touch.
Poisoned air
Mr. Baroudi points to one other risk that often arises during the winter season.
“Winter also brings indoor risks that are just as serious,” he said. “Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen from poorly ventilated heaters or generators. Installing CO detectors and ensuring proper ventilation will help safeguard against carbon monoxide poisoning.”
USAFacts reports that deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning increased by nearly 86 percent from 2012 to 2022, when 624 people died along with another 511 in which carbon monoxide was involved but that the actual cause of death was fire related.
FEMA points out that as more natural disasters are occurring, increasing numbers of people are turning to portable generators, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission concludes that portable generators are associated with 40 percent of carbon monoxide deaths related to consumer products since 2009.
First Published January 5, 2025, 5:00 a.m.
