Winter, weather bring hazards

Winter can bring all kinds of unique hazards, from the increased use of portable heaters to driving after holiday festivities.

At Confluence Health in Moses Lake, Dr. David Curnel deals with many of these patients. Kids will come in from swallowing small toys or sticking them in their ears or up their noses, he said.

Because of the distraction presents and family time bring, too, kitchen fires are another common call, Moses Lake Fire Department Capt. Derek Beach said.

Year after year, people come in with burns from deep frying turkeys, Curnel said. But that’s not the only problem. Frozen turkeys are heavy, and dropping them can cause havoc. Oddly enough, this has been a recurring issue.

“You would never think about this, but over the years I’ve seen people who have fractured their feet from frozen turkeys,” Curnel said.

Christmas lights can cause all kinds of problems too, whether they are hung on an icy roof or a dry tree.

“Water (your tree),” Beach said. “So we don’t have to.”

Aside from regular watering, it’s important to keep Christmas trees away from things that might dry them out, like wood stoves and fireplaces, he said.

When hanging or taking down lights on eaves, check for ice on both the ground and the roof, Beach said. It’s a good idea to have someone nearby, too.

“This time of year you always get the slip, trip and fall from icy conditions,” Beach said.

Ladder falls are no joke, MLFD EMS Chief Todd Schanze said. Some have even resulted in trips to Harborview Medical Center, in Seattle.

“Depending on how they fall, it’s not ‘Home Alone’ funny-type stuff, but it’s pretty serious,” he said.

Tatum Lawn Care avoids ladders unless the company absolutely needs them, employee James Allen said. They hung lights at more than 100 homes this year and didn’t suffer one injury.

Beach advises against stepping onto the lake unless the ice has been tested, and even then have a flotation device nearby. If someone falls in, call the fire department, he said. Don’t go in after them.

For portable heaters, make sure to give them three feet of clearance, don’t use an extension cord, and unplug them when away.

If deep frying, keep a fire extinguisher near, Curnel said. It doesn’t hurt to have one near your tree, too.

Put simply, Curnel said, “take more caution, slow down a bit and be aware that these things happen during the holidays.”

And sometimes other occasions.