According to the American Trauma Society, trauma is the leading cause of death for all age groups under the age of 44. Winter months bring their own dangers and increased risk of trauma, including severe weather conditions and fire hazards. Here are some tips to help you avoid accidents caused by Jack Frost:

• Ensure smoke alarms in your house are working. Change the batteries and keep them fresh.
• Do not leave fires or candles burning overnight.
• Practice fire escape procedures with your family so you know the quickest and safest way to get out of the house in the event of a fire.
• Have your car inspected to ensure it is ready for extreme cold and possible icy conditions. Check the battery, tire tread and antifreeze levels.
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Coats, scarves, gloves and extra layers can help prevent sickness from the least (colds) to the extreme (hypothermia).
• Always carry an emergency kit in your car in case you get stranded (a flashlight, sand or kitty litter for icy conditions, blankets, distress signals such as flares and/or glow sticks).
• Always let someone know where you are traveling and the route you are taking.
• For children enjoying the winter weather, have them take frequent breaks from the cold by coming inside and having a warm drink.
• Be cautious when shoveling snow, defrosting your car or even using stairs outside. Ice is sometimes hard to see, and falls can occur in an instant.

These tips are just the beginning of cautionary things you can do to keep yourself safe during the extreme cold. The best thing to do is stay aware of your surroundings and be conscience of the weather conditions outside.

Rick Moore, RN, LPN
Trauma Clinical Director

On January 4, 2010 St. David's Round Rock extended its trauma services with the capability to provide care for all levels of trauma patients, including the most severely injured and critical patients. Pursuing the designation of a Level II Trauma Center is a long road, but it has been, and continues to be, a rewarding one. We've hired experienced personnel, including Michael Craun as our Trauma Medical Director and Rick Moore as the Trauma Nurse Director, to run and train our hospital staff and ensure we are prepared to handle this new level of trauma. We're committed to provide the residents of Williamson County with the highest level of care in the community.