For Those Dealing with Ice/Sleet/Snow

[ramanth]

I second this. My great Aunt fell in her driveway this past Fall and broke her leg and jaw. She laid there for 2 hours until a neighbor happened to drive by.

Definitely grab that phone.

[pomtzu]

Good idea Karen - and don't forget the Medic Alert call buttons. Those aren't just for "seniors" with medical issues, but very beneficial to anyone of any age - especially if you live alone.

I subscribed to one of those systems AFTER I fell on ice in my driveway and fractured my hip/femur. I laid there helpless in the freezing rain for what seemed like forever (even tho it was only a few minutes), before a couple of guys in a pickup driving down the road in front of my house saw me and heard me calling for help. It was mid afternoon and still light out - heaven forbid if it had happened in the dark of night.

The first thing I did after I got out of the hospital and rehab, was to check out these systems. The one I have, has a range of 600', so it would alert the response center if I pushed the panic button, from anywhere in the house or yard. I've accidentally set it off several times, and the call center is right on it - calling me to see if I need assistance. They also call me for a test once a month, just to be sure that the system is operating properly. I don't constantly have to remember to have my cell phone on me, or worry if the battery is low. If I was out of voice range and activated it, and the center called me and got no response from me, then they would alert 911 and the emergency contacts that I have on file with them. It's well worth the few $$ a month, and even tho I've never needed it the the 3 years that I've had it, I wouldn't ever be without it.

[BarbPond]

Good advise Karan!!!

I always have my cell phone with me. My hubby is on the road about 5 days out of 7 so I am home alone alot and not getting any younger! Also I worry he my need to contact me if he is in a driving emergency.

If you dont have a pocket then get one of those things that hook to a belt or somewhere else on your clothes.

I have fallen before. I tripped over a cat-- go figure! As I was falling I tried to grab a kitchen chair and it went sailing and broke! And I did not have the cell phone anywhere near me but thankfully my neighbor was outside and actually heard me hit the floor. She ran to the back door and yelled for me. I yelled back and told her the front door was open. Anyhow I just ended up with a broken arm and a headache. The front door now stays unlocked unless I am sleeping. I am not worried about anyone unwanted coming inside because I have a "10 cat scatter" alarm!

But if someone calls and I dont answer it is normally because I am extra busy at the time. I call back as soon as possible.

[K9karen]

The one time I needed it in an emergency, I left it home. I was able to flag down a motorist but time had passed. Thanks, Karen, for the reminder.

Great reminder about ICE!

Medic Alert is wonderful. Even though I home cared my mom and was usually home, I got one for her anyway. Of course, she didn't want it, blah, blah, blah, but I put that sucker around her neck anyway. It went off every time I dusted the table where the main system was and they answered in less than 1/2 a second. I'd always tell them I was dusting them off!

[Laura's Babies]

Not just when there is ice outside. I have a neighbor who Mother died last summer, unable to get back into the house, she laid on the concrete and died in the heat. They said the heat started cooking her body. They all had nightmares about her laying there like that before she was found.

[Medusa]

Yep, I'm w/ya, Karen. I carry mine even when going out to feed the birds or get the mail, even if the weather is good. Last year I was rolling my trash can to the street and stepped in a divit in the yard. I fell and somehow got my arm caught in the handle of the trash can, so it fell on top of me. What a ridiculous situation! I laid there and laughed and finally managed to extricate myself. I wasn't hurt, until the next day, that is. Then I was plenty sore. After that incident, I always make sure I have my cell phone w/me. We just never know.

[anna_66]

Very good advice Karen. If only I could get my mother to do it!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Great advise for everyone regardless of age and weather.

My grandma fell in her garage this past October. She broke her leg pretty badly. Luckily the weather was nice and she was able to drag herself out to her driveway. It wasn't too long before a man drove by and saw her. He stopped and called 911. He stayed with her until the ambulance arrived. She was lucky everything turned out so well, it could have been a lot worse.

Last Valentines day, my husband, who was 28 at the time, had been working in the barn. He came in the house, took his boots off and then realized he didn't close the barn door. He tossed his flip flops on and ran out there to close it. It's a big, heavy, metal door and he accidentally shut it on his foot. It sliced through he toes. He didn't have his phone and he couldn't get the door off his toes. He ended up ripping his foot out from under the door, causing more damage to his toes. He then had to drag himself to the house (he couldn't walk). I drove him to the emergency room. Had he had his phone I could have help get the door off his foot and the damage to his toes wouldn't have been nearly as bad.