Stay Safe and Well Tips from Dr. Sherry and the Staff at Anew You

This winter storm and power and water outages are something that most of us have never experienced.  Please note that Anew You was closed yesterday and today (Tuesday and Wednesday) due to power outages and street conditions.  We are planning to open at noon tomorrow if possible.  Everyone with appointments for tomorrow (Thursday 2/17/2021) will be updated tomorrow morning by text or phone call.  We plan to be fully operational on Friday and Saturday.  In the meantime, you can always reach us by text at 210-405-5104.  We will be here for you once this real-life Frozen movie that we are in is over!

Here are some quick tips to help you stay safe and well during this difficult time:

-       Continue to take all medications as prescribed.

-       If you have medications that require refrigeration, they will probably be ok, but if you have been without power for an extended period of time, you can also place them outside in the snow to keep them cold.

-       Stay warm!  Wear multiple layers, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and shoes indoors.  If you have any long underwear or other clothes that you usually wear when you go snow skiing, now is the time to get them out.

-       If you have any drafts around outside doors, use towels to block the cold.

-       Please do not use your stove or cooktop to warm your house (I made this mistake myself).  It can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning.  Also do not use camping stoves or heaters indoors, and if you have a gas fireplace please be careful and use a carbon monoxide detector especially while sleeping.

-       Likewise, generators should only be used outside.  Don’t bother trying to find one in town or on Amazon in time if you don’t already have one… everyone is town is sold out and Amazon can’t deliver one until Monday (from what I have found).

-       Try to avoid using your car for heat or for charging your cell phone or other items.  Carbon monoxide builds up and will make you sleepy.  Once you fall asleep in a running car, death is highly likely.  If you must do this, use a carbon monoxide monitor and make sure someone knows that you are doing it and will check on you to make sure that you are awake and well.

-       Please help conserve power for others, and only use what is needed.

-       Check on your family, friends, and neighbors, especially seniors and children who are more vulnerable to severe cold.

-       Preserve power on your cell phone in case you need it for an emergency and don’t have power.  Use text instead of calling, turn off your Bluetooth, turn down the screen light, etc.

-       Be careful not to eat any perishable food that has not been properly refrigerated.  Do not eat any food that smells, looks, or tastes “funny” or “off”.  You can also put food out in the snow to keep it cold if necessary.

-       Don’t walk under large icicles.  During thawing periods, they can break off and cause serious injuries.

-       Be very careful walking around outside, the sidewalks are much more slippery than they appear, and wear the most appropriate shoes that you have if you must walk outside.  Please don’t make the same mistake that I did wearing 4 inch red heels out on Valentine’s, insisting that I knew how to walk in them and landing flat on my butt with a giant bruise to show for it.  But even my 27 year old son who is in stellar physical shape and always wears “appropriate” shoes took a bad fall while walking his dog in Austin.  BE CAREFUL!

-       Be cautious on the streets if you need to drive.  There are still lots of areas with icy and dangerous roads.

Here is a list of warming centers if you are in need of shelter and able to travel:

San Antonio:

·         Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

·         Corazon Ministries at Travis Park Church

·         Church Under the Bridge

·         City Church

·         Last Chance Ministries

·         Life Restored Church

·         First Baptist Church

·         Converse: Judson HS Gym - 9142 FM 78

·         Ingram Elementary School, 125 Brave Run, Ingram

Surrounding Cities:

·         Kerrville: First United Methodist Church, 321 Thompson Drive

·         Kerrville: Salvation Army, 855 Hays (Note: Please contact Kerrville PD at 830-792-2730 if you cannot safely travel to a shelter.)

·         Schertz: Crosspoint Church - 2600 Roy Richard Drive

·         Schertz Community Center - 1400 Schertz Parkway Building 3

·         San Marcos: Southside Community Center - 518 Guadalupe St.

·         Boerne: Hill Country Family Services - 451 N. Main St.

·         Seguin: St. James Catholic Church - 510 S. Camp St.

·         Fredericksburg Elementary School - 1608 N. Adams St.

·         Karnes City: First United Methodist Church - 201 N. Esplanade

AS ALWAYS, IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911

Again, please text at 210-405-5104 if you need to reach us.  We are looking forward to helping you get back on track once this is all over at Anew You!

Stay Warm and Safe,

Dr. Sherry Wehner, MD, and the staff at Anew You