Winter storms in Manchester, New Hampshire can create health hazards that extend well beyond slippery sidewalks and difficult driving. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, power outages, blocked roads, and prolonged periods indoors can affect the heart, lungs, skin, mental health, and access to essential medical care. Some dangers develop quickly, while others become more serious when a storm lasts for several days.

For Manchester residents, preparation should begin before the first flakes fall. People who take prescription medications, live alone, have chronic medical conditions, care for older adults or young children, or rely on electrically powered medical equipment may need additional planning. Checking local weather alerts before going outside is also important. If you have a heart condition, check the Manchester winter storm warning today before deciding whether to shovel or travel during severe weather.

The following health risks deserve particular attention whenever a major winter storm affects Manchester.

Heart Attack Risk From Snow Shoveling

Snow shoveling is one of the most underestimated winter health risks. Clearing a driveway or sidewalk can look like an ordinary household chore, but moving heavy snow combines strenuous physical activity with exposure to cold air. Cold temperatures can increase the workload on the cardiovascular system, while sudden exertion can place additional stress on the heart.

This is particularly important for older adults and people with known heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of heart attack. The risk can also be higher when snow is wet and heavy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people with heart disease or high blood pressure to follow their healthcare provider's advice about shoveling and other strenuous outdoor work in cold weather. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Warning signs of a heart attack can include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the chest; discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen; shortness of breath; unusual sweating; nausea; or sudden weakness. Symptoms can vary, particularly in women and older adults.

Do not try to push through concerning symptoms just to finish clearing the driveway. Stop immediately and seek emergency medical help. In a serious emergency, call 911 rather than attempting to drive yourself through hazardous road conditions.

Safer snow-clearing practices

• Check the weather and storm warnings before beginning outdoor work.
• Take frequent breaks rather than trying to clear everything at once.
• Use a smaller shovel load instead of lifting large amounts of snow.
• Push snow when practical rather than repeatedly lifting it.
• Dress in layers and protect your hands, face, ears, and feet.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor work if your healthcare provider has advised against it.
• Consider arranging professional snow removal or asking family, friends, or neighbors for assistance.

Even healthy adults should recognize that an unfamiliar level of exertion can be dangerous in severe cold. Snow removal should be treated as physical exercise, not simply routine maintenance.

Recognizing Hypothermia Before It Becomes an Emergency

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Although it is associated with very cold weather, it can also develop in less extreme temperatures when someone becomes wet from snow, rain, sweat, or immersion in cold water. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

People at increased risk include older adults without adequate heating, infants, people who remain outdoors for long periods, and individuals affected by alcohol or certain other substances. A prolonged power outage can also increase risk when indoor temperatures fall substantially.

Early symptoms may include:

• Persistent shivering
• Fatigue or unusual exhaustion
• Cold, pale, or clammy skin
• Difficulty using the hands
• Confusion or unusual behavior
• Memory problems
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

Hypothermia can impair judgment and coordination, meaning the affected person may not recognize how serious the situation has become. A body temperature below 95°F is an emergency requiring immediate medical attention. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

If hypothermia is suspected, move the person into a warm environment, remove wet clothing, and gently warm the center of the body with dry blankets and clothing. Medical attention should be obtained as quickly as possible. Do not give alcohol, and never give food or drinks to someone who is unconscious or unable to swallow safely.

Frostbite: Symptoms and Proper Treatment

Frostbite is a freezing injury that most often affects exposed or poorly protected fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Early frostbite can cause redness or pain, followed by numbness. More advanced frostbite may cause skin to become white, grayish-yellow, firm, or waxy. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Numbness can make frostbite particularly dangerous because a person may not realize that tissue has been injured. Once someone notices suspicious changes in the skin, getting out of the cold should be the first priority.

What to do for suspected frostbite

Move the affected person to a warm location and seek medical care. Remove wet clothing and protect the affected area from additional cold exposure. If immediate professional care is unavailable and the person does not have signs of hypothermia, frostbitten tissue can be warmed in warm, not hot, water. The water should feel comfortably warm to unaffected skin. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Several common home remedies should be avoided. Do not rub or massage frostbitten skin, and do not rub it with snow. Do not place numb tissue directly against a radiator, heating pad, stove, fireplace, or other intense heat source because burns can occur without the person realizing it. Walking on frostbitten feet or toes should also be avoided unless absolutely necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Frostbite can cause permanent tissue damage in severe cases, so medical evaluation is important even when the initial injury does not appear dramatic.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Power Outages

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is one of the most dangerous hidden threats during a winter storm. It is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Power outages often increase the risk because residents may turn to generators, grills, camp stoves, or other fuel-burning equipment for electricity, cooking, or heat. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

A portable generator should never be operated inside a home, basement, garage, shed, or other enclosed area. The CDC recommends placing generators at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents and positioning them where snow and rain will not reach them. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Blocked vents can create another problem. Heavy snow can accumulate around exterior furnace, heating-system, dryer, or appliance vents. If exhaust cannot escape properly, dangerous gases can enter a building. Residents should carefully check outdoor vents after significant snowfall and keep them clear, while following the manufacturer's safety instructions.