Month: January 2019

Doctor tells how to prevent frostbite

This week residents in the metro area will see several days of bone-chilling single-digit and below temperatures.

The Burnett Burn Center at The University of Kansas Health System is prepared to treat patients for frostbite, according to a spokesman. The medical staff expects the frostbite injuries to be mostly on the hands and feet.

In a video, Dr. Dhaval Bhavsar, with the Burnett Burn Center, explains why extreme cold is just as bad as extreme heat for the skin, and why frostbite patients are typically treated at a burn center.

He said even a 10 to 15-minute exposure to cold temperatures is enough to cause serious injuries, mostly to hands and feet.

He describes the symptoms of frostbite and how to know when to seek help, and more important, what not to do if you think you have it.

He explains why rapid re-warming can be just as dangerous and he offers advice on how to avoid frostbite. Those tips include:
• Don’t be outside when it’s below 20 degrees if you can avoid it.
• Dress in as many layers as possible.
• Wear protective clothing such as gloves, hats, socks and shoes or boots meant for the cold.
• Avoid getting hands and feet wet.

In extreme cases of frostbite, where the blood flow is not re-established, the hospital will inject chemicals into the patients’ bloodstream to reopen circulation.

Symptoms of frostbite are pain, numbness and discoloration of the skin. He advised patients not to wait for discoloration to seek treatment.

Rewarming with hot water can injure tissues, he said. The tissue can become more injured. Instead, gradual rewarming, not with hot water, is advised.

http://www.medicalnewsnetwork.org/NewsNetwork/DocTalk/F/The%20Dangers%20of%20Frostbite%20and%20How%20to%20Prevent%20It

Residents encouraged to prepare for extreme cold

Record-setting cold temperatures are forecast for the Greater Kansas City area, and area emergency managers are encouraging people to act now to prepare their homes and families.

“The bitter cold temperatures and strong winds forecast for tomorrow can lead to life-threatening wind chills,” said Kyle Burns, emergency manager for the city of Overland Park and co-chair of the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee. “This extreme cold can lead to frostbite on exposed skin in a matter of minutes.”

As for any type of emergency, people should have an emergency supply kit on hand, with enough food and water for three days, a battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries. To prepare for extreme cold, the Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests a few more items to your supply kit: rock salt to melt ice on walkways, sand to improve traction, snow shovels, and adequate clothing to keep warm.

Some additional precautions:
• Bring pets indoors.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. In extreme cold, let a trickle of cold water drip from the faucet to help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Avoid traveling by car, but if you must be on the road make sure you have an emergency supply kit in your car. Keep your gas tank as full as possible in case you are stuck on the highway for an extended period of time.
• Dress appropriately for winter weather. Wear loose, lightweight layers of warm clothing, and wear a hat – half of your body’s heat can be lost without it. Mittens will protect your hands better than gloves. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Stay informed. Listen to local TV and radio stations or follow your city or county government on social media to get updated emergency information.

“It’s also important to check on neighbors who may need assistance or extra support,” said Ron Starbuck, emergency preparedness program for the Wyandotte County Health Department. “Older adults and children can be particularly susceptible to the risks of extreme cold.”

For more information on preparing for severe weather and other types of emergencies, visit www.PrepareMetroKC.org or www.Ready.gov.

Former T-Bones shortstop signs with Royals organization

Former T-Bones infielder Taylor Featherston recently signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.

Taylor Featherston hit .202 in 25 games with five home runs and 15 RBIs while holding down the short stop position for KC during a key stretch of the 2018 T-Bones Championship season.

On July 24, he became the fifth T-Bone player in the month of July 2018 and the seventh at that point in the season to be sold to an MLB organization when the Cincinnati Reds purchased his contract.

Featherston finished his time in KCK on a six-game hitting streak and drove in at least one run in five of his last six games with the T-Bones. The Texas native hit .237 in 36 games at AA Pensacola in the Southern League after joining the Reds organization in 2018. He added three home runs and 15 RBIs for the Blue Wahoos.

Featherston came to Kansas City after playing in 55 games to start the 2018 season for AAA Rochester in the Minnesota Twins organization in the International League. Featherston hit four home runs and knocked in 21 RBIs with the Redwings, hitting .167 before his release on June 18. He signed a minor league contract with the Twins in December of 2017.

Featherston attended Texas Christian University, where he played college baseball for the Horned Frogs baseball team. The Colorado Rockies selected Featherston in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft; he spent four years in their organization, reaching AA. In 2014, he played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League where he hit .260 with 16 home runs, and 57 RBIs for the Drillers.

The Chicago Cubs selected Featherston from the Rockies in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft and then traded him to the Angels for cash considerations. Featherston competed for a role with the Angels as a utility infielder in spring training and made the club out of spring training, earning a spot on the opening day roster for the “halos”. He made his major league debut on April 12 and would go on to hit .162 during the 2015 season, receiving 154 at bats in 101 games played.
During the 2015-16 offseason, the Angels designated Featherston for assignment. The Philadelphia Phillies acquired Featherston from the Angels for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He began the 2016 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Class AAA International League. The Phillies promoted Featherston to the major leagues on July 25, where he played in 19 games going 3-for-26 with an RBI with the big club. Philadelphia designated Featherston for assignment on Sept. 10.
Featherston began the 2017 season with AAA Lehigh Valley in the International League, but on June 9, the Phillies traded Featherston to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. He split time with the Rays and at AAA Durham. With Tampa, Featherston hit .179 in 17 games with two homers and six RBIs, and while at Durham, he hit .200 in 31 games with four home runs and 15 RBIs. Overall in his MLB career, Featherston played 137 games with four home runs and a .160 batting average.

Full and half-season 2019 ticket packages, as well as mini plans, are on sale now online or by calling 913-328-5618 or visiting the T-Bones Stadium offices. Group ticket sales are also on sale. Opening day for the T-Bones is set for Friday May 17, at T-Bones Stadium when the T-Bones play host to the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks to open the 2019 season.

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