DETROIT – Winter weather in southeast Michigan is causing a surge in emergency calls and hospital visits, officials say.
Sannid Saleh, emergency department administrative director at DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, told Local 4 motor vehicle accidents increase significantly with snow and freezing temperatures.
“We’re not anticipating that ice being there. It just kind of slips our mind and that’s how a lot of our vehicle accidents are happening,” he said. “We have everything from broken legs, broken, you know, broken bones. You can have a head injury, you have concussions and it can be significant depending on the speed you’re traveling at.”
The hospital is urging drivers to slow down during winter months to prevent major injuries.
Slip and fall injuries are also rising, especially on hidden black ice. Saleh warned that people on blood thinners who fall and bump their heads should seek immediate medical evaluation to rule out serious injuries like brain bleeds.
“It might not seem like anything in that moment, but that is when you should come to us so we can evaluate you,” he said.
Frostbite is a growing concern during the cold snap.
Health experts say frostbite can develop in as little as 15 minutes depending on temperature and exposure.
“The colder it is, the less amount of time you need to be exposed to the cold for frostbite to kick in,” Saleh said. Early signs include discoloration and loss of sensation in fingers or other exposed skin. “If you notice that your fingertips are turning blue or if you can no longer feel them all together, those can be signs that you are going down the route of a frostbite. And you want to get treatment for that as soon as you can.”
The hospital uses a hyperbaric chamber to treat frostbite and burns, with wound care specialists available 24/7. "
AAA is also seeing a spike in calls.
“Especially during winter weather or very cold Arctic weather, we can see sometimes almost 100 percent increase in our call volume,” said AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland. “Whenever we see temperatures drop or cold weather, we get calls for things like dead batteries, frozen locks, and cars that have slipped off the roadway.”
Woodland advised drivers to prepare their vehicles by checking tires, tire pressure, engine oil, and winter windshield wiper fluid to keep windshields clear. She also stressed the importance of having a good battery, as cold weather can cause batteries to die quickly.
She urged drivers to watch their speed and avoid tailgating, noting, “It takes longer to stop in these types of conditions.” Woodland also recommended keeping at least half a tank of gas to avoid running out if stranded. If a vehicle stalls, she advised turning on hazard lights, setting the emergency brake, and staying with the vehicle if it is safe. If not, drivers should exit the vehicle as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Detroit Dog Rescue is appealing for foster homes as the cold weather increases the number of abandoned and frostbitten dogs.
“This is what we’re seeing out on the street... shepherds with some frost bite, some mange, underweight,” Kristina Millman-Rinaldi of the rescue said.
The nonprofit recently reached capacity and is urgently asking people to foster dogs for two weeks, providing supplies to help manage the influx during the harsh winter.
To learn more about how to foster an animal, click here.