Alzheimer's Foundation Offers Safety Tips.

• Position: WINTER STORMS

"Frigid temperatures, snow, and ice can pose dangers for everyone, but especially so for someone living with Alzheimer's disease," cautions Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, New York. "Family caregivers can make a big difference by taking a few small steps to keep their loved one safe."

AFA suggests the following:

* Hypothermia is a concern for everyone in a winter storm, but persons living with Alzheimer's or related dementia can be at an even greater risk. Some individuals living with a dementia-related illness may find it difficult to detect temperature and weather changes. Know the signs of hypothermia: look for shivering, exhaustion, sleepiness, slurred speech, memory loss, and clumsy motor skills.

* Electric space heaters can pose a fire risk, especially when used with extension cords or if they get knocked over. Employ space heaters that turn off automatically when they reach a set temperature or tip over.

* While most people can tell when they start to get too warm from an electric blanket, those with Alzheimer's or a related dementia may be less sensitive to changes in temperature. It is best to remove all electric blankets from the home.

* Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased with the use of the furnace and other heating methods. The odorless, tasteless gas can build up to dangerous levels quickly without your knowledge, causing a dull headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness, blurred vision, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness. Check the heating system at least once a year and install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home.

* There is an increased risk of slips and falls with snow and ice covering the ground. Persons living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia also may have vision issues that can make it harder to see ice or realize that a...