At winter emergency preparedness event, Henrico officials offer tips on health, safety, savings and wellness

Winter can take a special toll on our health.

On Wednesday, Henrico County and state experts, utilities and agencies offered information and resources to help people stay safe during the coldest, snowiest and darkest season of the year.

The Winter Emergency Preparedness event at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center focused on health, safety, savings and wellness tips, resources and key contacts.

The Henrico Outreach and Engagement Agency organized the yearly event so that residents can be prepared for the cold and learn how to take care of themselves, their homes, their family, their pets.

Jenn Welch of Henrico County Emergency Management told the crowd of a few dozen people that the key proactive ways to stay safe during the winter is by making an emergency supply kit for the home and the car, as well as a family emergency plan.

Extreme health issues that are particular to winter include hypothermia and frostbite. Winter can impact mental health, so organizations presented information about seasonal coping strategies.

“It's a holiday season, but it's also colder and people get blue,” said Victoria Davis, event organizer with Henrico County Office of Community Outreach and Engagement. “People are experiencing grief. So, people need different ways to navigate that. People are lonely. They may live at home by themselves. So [these organizations are presenting ways of] how to be together or do things that when people are stuck in the house because of the snow, what can they do without getting depressed?”

Representatives from the Virginia Department of Health shared information about flu and cold symptoms and how to keep one healthy in the winter season and also opportunities to volunteer with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.

A representative from AAA gave safety tips on driving in winter weather like checking tire pressure and making sure batteries are in good shape. For winter driving he reminded the crowd to give themselves time to get where they’re going and be sure to clear their cars completely of snow.

Dominion Energy staffers spoke about the benefits of home weatherization and the impact of power outages in the central Virginia area.  

Virginia Bureau of Insurance officials gave out information about how to put in insurance claims or policies after a winter storm.

Henrico County Area Mental Health and Developmental Services case worker Camille Logan said that a lack of sunlight can have a big impact on one’s health.

“You need that vitamin D, so whatever uplifting activities you can do before or even when it starts to get dark is good,” said Logan who had just signed up for a fitness activity at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center. “We encourage exercise. It’s a good idea to make a plan.”

Being isolated and sedentary during the winter can impact one’s mental health, sometimes making people depressed and even increase the risk of suicide.

She warned that people can get even excessive sleep during the winter. The Henrico County Area Mental Health and Developmental Services location on Nine Mile has a community board that lists its many events and activities this season. The office has noticed an uptick of senior citizens visiting for support.

“They've outlived some of their family, so they don't have any family support, or they have complex relationships with their family,” Logan said. “They have a lot of high needs and need higher levels of care, but there's nobody to help advocate for them to get them in those services. Many people are coping with dementia and Alzheimer's.”

During the holidays many people need crisis stabilization.

“It's hard for them to deal with being alone,” Logan said. “For people on a fixed income, budgeting can be a stressor. The holidays come and their income didn't change. They have a desire to give but they don't have that disposable income to do that.”

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.