Introduction

Winter is a beautiful season. The snow-covered trees are stunning, and the cold weather makes for some great adventures. But winter can also pose some serious dangers to your health, especially if you don’t take proper precautions. Here are 6 safety winter tips to help keep you healthy while enjoying the season:

Know the signs of hypothermia, frostbite and other cold-related illnesses.

Know the signs of hypothermia, frostbite and other cold-related illnesses.

Hypothermia: When your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness and slurred speech.

Frostbite: When the skin and tissues freeze due to exposure to cold temperature

 

Dress appropriately for the weather.

You should always be prepared for the weather in the winter, but you especially need to do so when participating in an outdoor activity like ice skating. Here are some tips for dressing appropriately:

• Wear layers. When it’s cold out, your body needs extra protection from the elements—especially your hands and feet. A pair of gloves or mittens will help keep those extremities warm and dry. If you’ll be out for a long period of time, consider wearing two pairs (one on top of another) to maximize warmth and prevent chafing from that awkward friction generated by rubbing one layer over another as you move about the rink or park. You could also try layering a beanie under a winter hat; this will add extra insulation around your head while still allowing enough room for your ears to breathe in between hats!

• Wear sunglasses! Bright sunlight reflecting off snow can make even bright days seem dark, which makes sunglasses essential when navigating snowy terrain during daylight hours (or anytime after sunset). They’ll also protect against eye strain caused by squinting too much at objects far away—plus they just look cool!

 

Avoid dangerous ice.

If you’re venturing out onto the ice, be sure to avoid black ice. Black ice is a thin layer of clear ice that can be invisible to drivers and pedestrians. It forms when snow melts and then freezes again, making it look like there’s no slippery surface at all. The most common places for black ice are bridges, overpasses, and other elevated surfaces—so keep an eye out for those spots during your winter travels!

 

Keep your pets safe too.

It’s important to keep your pet safe during the winter, too. Pets are sensitive to cold temperatures and should be kept indoors when outside temps fall below freezing. Take extra care when walking your dog on snow or ice—you don’t want them slipping and injuring themselves!

If you need to go out in extreme weather conditions, make sure that your pet has a warm place to stay if they cannot accompany you. In addition, do not let them eat snow or ice as it can cause blockage of the digestive tract and even death due to dehydration.

 

Take care when shoveling snow.

Shoveling snow can be a back-breaking task. If you are going to shovel, make sure you are dressed appropriately and take frequent breaks. Wear warm clothing and waterproof boots, even if it’s not particularly cold outside.

• Shovel in small sections; don’t try to do too much at once!
• Drink plenty of water before and during your workout so that you stay hydrated enough for safety reasons as well.

 

Look for black ice when you’re driving.

When it comes to winter driving, there’s one hazard that can be tricky to spot. Black ice is often hidden underneath regular types of ice and snow, making it harder for drivers to see than the white stuff you might find on your windshield.  Black ice forms when water on roads freezes quickly in areas with little or no sun, like overpasses or bridges and shady areas where temperatures don’t get as high. This can make black ice more dangerous than regular ice due to its ability to hide under thicker layers of snow and slushy water, so be sure to pay extra attention when driving near these places during cold weather months.

 

Follow these safety tips for winter to stay safe and healthy in extreme weather

You can stay safe and healthy in winter weather by following these tips:

• Wear layers of clothing. The more you wear, the warmer your body will be, which helps keep it from getting too cold.
• Wear a hat and gloves. These are especially important to wear when walking outside or working outside in extreme temperatures (over 30°F). They’ll help prevent frostbite on your face and hands, which can be painful if they get too cold while they’re exposed to something like snow or ice particles flying around during bad weather conditions like wind chill factor!
• Protect your ears from frostbite, too—especially if you spend time outdoors listening to music outdoors during this time of year! If possible try wearing earmuffs with earflaps instead because they will provide better protection against wind-chill effects due to being bulkier than regular earmuffs but still lightweight enough not weighing down on top half part of head…

 

Conclusion

Winter is a beautiful time of year, with all the snow and ice and holiday cheer. But it’s also a dangerous time for outdoor activities. The best way to keep yourself safe is by being prepared, knowing what to expect from the weather and your surroundings, and following these 6 safety tips for winter we’ve outlined here today.

Winter Safety Outdoors

 

 

Author Kathryn Davies

kathryn@lifesemerg.com