Winter safety tips for seniors
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Region - While last week's storm didn't bring the most snow we've seen this winter, the mix of snow, ice and rain did bring some of the heaviest, and the Shrewsbury Health Department has off ered tips to cut down on shovelingrelated injuries.

"Wearing tight clothes restricts movement, and puts more stress on the body," health official Bob Moore said. "Make sure you wear layers of loose-fitting clothes, which tend to keep people warmer but are easy to take off a layer at a time if you get too warm from the exercise."

Dangers of snow removal range from back injuries that come from lifting and twisting to strain on the heart created by both strenuous movement and chilly temperatures.

"Especially with elderly people, the circulatory system is not as strong as when they were younger and the cold itself strains the heart as it works harder to keep the body warm," he said. "That, with the shoveling of heavy snow, can really put a strain on the heart."

Seniors and people with heart conditions are advised to stay indoors and enlist the help of friends, relatives and neighbors. If they do choose to shovel, Moore encouraged people to take frequent breaks and to go indoors when they get too cold.

"If you're shivering, it's an indication that you need to heat up," he said. "Don't ignore it until it gets so bad that you could get frostbite."

Safe shoveling tips from the Massachusetts Department of Health include not shoveling after smoking, drinking alcohol or eating a heavy meal, which can put an extra load on your cardiovascular system; wearing a scarf over your nose and mouth to avoid breathing cold air; wearing a hat to retain body heat; and drinking water to avoid dehydration.

People are also advised to try pushing snow rather than lifting it. If it can't be pushed, it's best to lift with your legs and not your back to avoid strain on the back and heart.

Also, using a small shovel will prevent you from lifting too much weight and becoming exhausted.