Texas freeze tips: How to stay safe and avoid the ER during Austin's cold weather

Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read

Central Texans, emergency room doctors and nurses are offering these tips to stay safe during next week's arctic cold front.

Avoid driving in ice, sleet or snow

Kristen Hullum, trauma injury prevention coordinator at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center, recommends that people stay home if conditions deteriorate.

More: Central Texas, prepare your home, your car, your pantry for this week's winter weather

Prevent falls

Hullum also said If it is icy, be careful; bring a cellphone and a whistle to alert someone that you need help; salt or sand the sidewalk, porch, driveway before stepping out.

Prevent hypothermia

Dr. Ross Tobleman, emergency department director at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock, worries about prolonged exposure to the cold.

He recommends wearing layers, covering your feet and hands and face. Warm up inside with gentle warm air. Do not use hot water to treat frostbite or windburn.

Now is the time to stock up on medications to make sure you have enough to get through the cold snap.
Now is the time to stock up on medications to make sure you have enough to get through the cold snap.

Be prepared

Now is the time to stock up on supplies.

  • Have at least a week's worth of medication on hand.

  • Have flashlights with extra batteries.

  • Charge devices including portable batteries for cell phones.

  • Stock up on canned goods and shelf-stable products. Keep a non-electric can opener.

  • Have extra blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing.

  • Have extra bottled water.

  • Fill the bathtub or plastic tubs with water.

  • If you are receiving nursing or hospice care, check with your provider about getting portable oxygen tanks, extra medical supplies, back-up batteries for protable medical equipment in case the power goes out.

Learning from the past: Austin doctors: Frostbite cases like nothing they've seen before

Know how to stay warm without power

Avoid Power carbon monoxide risks.

Last year, University Health hospital in San Antonio received 11 people from Austin with carbon monoxide poisoning. Despite all of our medical advances, Austin does not have a hyperbaric chamber to treat people with carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Do not use space heaters without an automatic shut-off switch.

  • Do not use ovens to heat the house.

  • Do not use portable generators indoors.

  • Do not run the car in the garage.

  • Do not leave burning candles unattended.

  • Do not use a fireplace that has not been cleaned and inspected recently.

  • Ensure the fireplace flue is open before lighting it.

Do call 9-1-1 if you need help

Call 911 if it's a true emergency.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas freeze tips: How to stay safe during Austin's cold weather