William Penn Life, 2004 (39. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-12-01 / 12. szám
HealthPage Hilliu Pen Life, December 2004 7 T • Plug in appliances to the generator using individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords. • Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet because of the risk of electrocution. • Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could ignite. Conserve Heat You may need fresh air coming in for your heater or for emergency cooking arrangements. However, if you don't need extra ventilation, keep as much heat as possible inside your home. Avoid unnecessary opening of doors or windows. Close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors, and close draperies or cover windows with blankets at night. Monitor Body Temperature Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because: (1) infants lose body heat more easily than adults; and (2) unlike adults, infants can't make enough body heat by shivering. Provide warm clothing for infants and try to maintain a warm indoor temperature. If the temperature cannot be maintained, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere. In an emergency, you can keep an infant warm using your own body heat. If you must sleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on the baby. Pillows and other soft bedding can also present a risk of smothering; remove them from the area near the baby. Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather. Also, check on elderly friends and neighbors frequently to ensure that their homes are adequately heated. Keep a Water Supply y Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes rupture. When very cold temperatures are expected: • Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously. • Keep the indoor temperature warm. • Improve the circulation of heated air near pipes. For example, open kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink. If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Instead, thaw them slowly by directing the warm air from an electric hair dryer onto the pipes. If you cannot thaw your pipes, or the pipes are ruptured, use bottled water or get water from a neighbor's home. As an emergency measure—if no other water is available—snow can be melted for water. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most microorganisms or parasites that may be present, but won't remove chemical pollutants sometimes found in snow. Eat and Drink Wisely Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages-they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help maintain your body temperature. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor. Emergency Supplies List:- An alternate way to heat your home during a power failure: dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove, or kerosene for a kerosene heater. /- Furnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil). /- Electric space heater with automatic shut-off I switch and non-glowing elements.- Multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher.- First aid kit and instruction manual. *- Flashlight or battery-powered lantern.- Battery-powered radio and clock/watch.- Extra batteries, blankets and matches.- Non-electric can opener.- Snow shovel and rock salt. IffFLl
