Bellone Offers Seniors Winter Tips

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone  said Wednesday that senior citizens are especially vulnerable to problems in cold weather and suggested several steps to ensure safety.

“Older people can fall more easily in ice,” Bellone said. “They also are more vulnerable to the cold. So we ask that they, and those who love them, be more aware of the dangers.”

Senior citizens should:

·        Protect skin against freezing winds. Dress in layers and cover your head.

·        Turn the house heat to at least 65 degrees.

·        Watch out for black ice. Sidewalks that look clear can, in reality, be hazardous.

·        Be aware that certain medications can affect the body’s ability to adjust to changes in temperature.

·        Eat properly because a good diet can protect abnormal cold.

·        Arrange for a daily check-in with a friend or  relative.