Oklahoma isn’t exactly known for its snow and ice, and while the landscape is pretty, those who aren’t used to this kind of weather can find themselves in danger both inside and outside.
Car crashes, frostbite, fires and more are some of the dangers emergency workers with Memorial Health EMS say people can encounter during weather like this.
But people can avoid most of these dangers with a little bit of caution.
Of course, the best practice is to stay indoors where it’s warm and dry, but if you have to go out, be sure to drive safely.
“People losing control of their wheels, I saw some semis just being jackknifed, and then I’ve seen some car rollovers and then, just a lots of people not knowing when to brake properly so they’re sliding and banging into other cars,” said Emily Hrbacek, EMT Basic with Memorial Health.
Rebekah Daly, EMT Basic with Memorial Health, added a tip for driving in these conditions.
“You never know if, that it looks clear and it’s actually black ice, or it’s a little slick spot,” she said, “As the snow melts, it immediately refreezes every single night. So, just taking the extra time and no rush is the best option.”
Daly said to walk with caution, too.
“So, try to salt them. Try to shovel your driveways when you can. We recommend not leaving your house unless you absolutely have to,” she said.
That warning isn’t just for seniors, either. People of all ages should be cautious while walking across ice or snow as a fall can leave anyone injured.
“You can hurt your tailbone, you can hurt your hip, you can break something. The best thing to do is just walk really carefully if you have to walk, and make sure you’re wearing good shoes. Don’t go outside in slippers or anything, and just be very mindful of where you’re stepping the entire time,” Hrbacek said.
Be sure to bundle up, too. It’s possible to lose fingers, toes and even a nose to frostbite.
“Could be long exposure from outside weather for sure, with not like, wearing proper gear. Don’t let your like gloves get cold or wet for sure, and then keep them on. It’s really good to replace your cold gear, keep everything dry, and just make sure you’re not out in the weather if you don’t need to be. If you can be somewhere safe and dry and warm, stay there for sure,” Hrbacek said.
In addition to the elements outside, there are also dangers lurking around inside your home, especially for those who use space heaters.
“You never know how easily those can heat up and cause a fire by a blanket or catch on to something,” Daly said, Like dust flying around the air can create a fire, and then carbon monoxide poisoning along with that.”
Daly added, “You don’t smell it, you don’t feel it, you don’t taste it. So it’s hard to catch. Once you’ve once you’ve got it, it’s a little late.”
Giving that space heater a few breaks throughout the day can reduce the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you do find yourself in any of these situations, Memorial Health EMS is here to help. If you’re in need of an ambulance, call 911 or contact Memorial Health’s ambulance services at (580) 585-5555 to request one.
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