Page 16 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 130

16 Issue #130 November 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Fire Services with Deputy Chief Leighton Woods

Stay Warm and Stay Safe this Winter

ith mornings and end of days getting colder and colder as we approach winter, we all want to stay warm. It’s essential
Whowever, that you also stay safe while staying warm.

If you heat your home with baseboards, now is the perfect time to ensure they are clean. You can remove the front portion of
most baseboards to clean them easily. Just make sure you do so whenever they aren’t warm!

You can also easily clean them with your vacuum.
If you supplement your heating with portable heaters, you should always ensure that you have a one-meter zone around them where
you you have no clutter. Always make sure that you plug your portable heaters directly into your electrical socket and that you always keep an
eye on it.
Don’t leave your portable heater on throughout the night and always make sure that the filters on your heater – yes, they have filters – are clean.
If you’re heating with a good old fashion fireplace, make sure that your chimney is clean and that you keep an eye on your fire. Don’t overfill it, and
make sure that you’re always using dry wood as fuel.
It’s also very important to ensure that you have a smoke alarm AND a carbon monoxide alarm.

Carbon monoxide alarms are as important as smoke alarms. That’s because, unlike smoke, carbon monoxide doesn’t have a smell, and you can’t see it.
That means that if you have a leak somewhere and carbon monoxide builds up in your home, you will have a hard time spotting it in time.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures,
chest pain, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.
Often, these carbon monoxide leaks happen because of a clogged vent in furnaces. They happen most of the time in winter and kill several people every
year – usually overnight when everyone is asleep and unaware of the danger.
That’s all for now. Stay safe.

Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services

What Seniors can do to Prevent Falls

Since fall is here, I thought that it would be fitting that I talk about Fall Prevention. As we age, motor skills and balance both fail naturally. Add in other diseases, and
the risk rises.
Floor mats, stairs, uneven floors, gravel, or uneven ground can prove challenging. When falls occur, debilitating fractures and head injuries can occur and in the aged,
these can be devastating injuries.
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians and that 20-30% of seniors experience one or more falls each year.
Falls also happen to cause 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, and 95% of hip fractures among seniors are caused by falls.
Although they are extremely dangerous, falls can be prevented by making certain adjustments both at home and in your lifestyle.
Be sure to eat well, stay fit, and use whatever devices will facilitate your daily life while keeping you safe. Your independence and well-being are at stake.
Bathrooms can be a hazardous place for seniors. That’s why you should ensure that you have non-slip surfaces in the tub or shower.
You should also install grab bars by the toilet and bath to help you sit and stand. Make sure they are well anchored.
Use a raised toilet seat, and a bath seat in the shower, if you need them, and be sure to wipe up moisture or spills immediately.
When it comes to the rest of your home you should aim to reduce clutter. Get rid of loose wires and cords as well as any other obstacles. Consider using a cordless
phone to avoid rushing to answer.
Store kitchen supplies and pots and pans in easy-to-reach locations. Always place heavy items in lower cupboards and use a stable step stool with a safety rail for
reaching high places.
Always try to eat nutritious meals (which includes lots of vegetables and fruits) to retain your strength. Don’t skip meals — it can cause weakness and dizziness.
You should also engage in physical activity every day if possible. That could be anything from walking to Tai Chi and everything in between. Do what you can to
maintain your flexibility and balance.
If you do happen to be falling, try to land on your buttocks to prevent more serious injuries.
Don’t rush to get up. Instead, make sure you are not injured before trying to get up or letting others help you get up. Lastly, don’t let the fear of falling again prevent
you from being active. Inactivity creates an even greater risk of falling.