FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT)- With temperatures falling below zero local hospitals are seeing cold weather-related injuries.
Lutheran Hospital said they've seen vehicle crashes, slip and falls, snowmobile crashes, and cases of frostbite. Nurses said it's important to be aware of road and sidewalk conditions. If you're walking, walk with a shuffle so your heels don't slip out from under you.
They also said not to walk with your hands in your pockets. It causes your balance to be off, and if you do start to fall, it's harder to catch yourself. You should also make sure you have proper winter clothing. It takes as little as 10 minutes to start developing frostbite in subzero temperatures.
"Many times when it's below zero, just in that 10 to 15 minute period we can get light cases of frostbite and we don't even realize it. So if your skin starts to get kind of red or itchy, that kind of thing, that's kind of your signal that you need to get in the warmth," said Annette Chard, Trauma Program Manager at Lutheran.
The hospital also reminds people to check on elderly friends and family members as they are more susceptible to falls and hypothermia.
