At this point in December, we are knee-deep in winter. Keeping that in mind, let’s talk about winter water worries. Beyond the pool, there are more things to take into account than most people realize. Read on to learn more about the dangers of the freezing cold and other winter water worries.
Ladder Safety in Winter
Falling off of the roof may seem like an odd danger to start with here, but consider how many people climb up ladders to hang decorations during the holidays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoMfIxZZXSk&ab_channel=mmaidan
Ignoring Clark’s proclivities… with ice and powerful winds, a ladder can be pretty dangerous! A fall from a ladder or roof is far more common in the winter than during any other time of year.
To start, the impact from the fall is a worry. No matter how strong you are, you cannot beat gravity. Beyond this, if you happen to be holding electrical equipment and fall into the swimming pool, there is a serious risk of
electric shock drowning. Even in the winter, this can easily be fatal.
Older Folks and Falling Injuries
Let’s face it, older folks can become insistent about not slowing down as they age. There may be a fear of being useless, but the point remains: for adults over the age of 65, falls can be a serious health threat.
First, let’s go over some numbers.
According to the CDC, millions of people in this age bracket fall each year. In fact, more than one out of four older people fall each year. What’s worse, less than half of these folks tell their doctors. Not only that, falling once doubles your chances of falling again. One out of five falls will cause a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury. Another eight percent are not warned until severe injuries take place and they have no way around it.
While some elderly people never even know when they get hurt, those who do often spend long periods in the hospital, where patients wait months for care. As we discussed earlier, if someone's exposed to cold weather on top what little clothing he has left before going down, having access back onto his own body increases the odds that heat stroke will occur – something could kill him first.
The Buddy System Works in All Weather
Up next in our list of winter weather worries, let’s talk about the buddy system. The buddy system is a great way to stay safe from holiday hazards. With a friend to watch your back, you don’t need to worry. This is true for taking a dip in the pool as well as taking the stairs.
No matter your age, don't climb a ladder alone. All of the points we mentioned above still apply here. When it comes to winter water worries, ask someone to join you. A friend or relative can help to steady the ladder. In case of an accident, the other person can immediately call for help.
Slippery Roads
In this case,
ice safety is paramount. Slipping and falling on slippery, icy stairs can result in serious injury. Instead, be sure to salt your walkways and stairs frequently. Hold onto the railing at all times to prevent a potentially dangerous fall.
Of course, stairs aren’t the only slippery concern in the winter. Next, let’s talk about holiday driving. Though it may seem distant from pool safety, we assure you that these things are connected. Just like
alcohol and swimming, drinking and driving can prove to be one of the most serious winter water worries. Put simply, drinking and driving can cause accidents and cost lives. Paired with slippery roads and other dangerous weather conditions, this threat increases significantly. Instead, designate a sober driver.
On the whole, the colder weather can make driving more hazardous than usual, so be sure to stay as safe as possible on the road. Make sure you know how to drive safely and be prepared for any situation.
