Warning to you before you shovel

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Bill Kraft is digging out from the latest round of snow and he's dressed for the weather.

"Layers, at least three or four layers, a jacket, a sweatshirt and at least two shirts, a thermal underneath.  I got my Army thermal underneath my jeans so it's pretty hard for me to get cold out here," says Kraft.

When he shovels, he's always careful.

"I don't have insurance so I got to watch out where I step and stuff like that, you know, and just take my time on shoveling," explains Kraft.

Miami Valley Hospital has been slammed with people hurt from weather-related accidents.

"We've had a few falls, significant falls with severe head injuries.  We've had a bunch of car accidents today.  So, I guess the ice and snow are taking their toll and I think it's going to be like that for the next 24 hours," comments Dr. Norman Schneiderman.

Dr. Schneiderman says every year he sees a few heart attacks during the first couple of snowfalls.

"The best advice I can give you is do not fill the shovel, take smaller shovels, take your time, don't do it rapidly.  If you start getting any kind of chest discomfort stop and call 911," says Dr. Schneiderman.

But it's not only shovels that can be dangerous.

"If the snow blower gets plugged up, you shut it off and don't stick your hand in there.  You use a stick or something like that if it's plugged up because sometimes you think it's off and it will flip on and it's very messy," comments Dr. Schneiderman.

Doctors have also seen many cases of frostbite and hypothermia this winter. So, if you do head outside, even for a short period of time, make sure you wear a hat and gloves.