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6 Cold-Weather Tips to Protect Your Family this Winter

Posted December 23, 2021 by Charles A. Zonfa, MD, FACOG | Chief Medical Office


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The coldest months of the year are upon us and going outdoors is the best way to enjoy the season and beat cabin fever. Getting a breath of fresh air is a proven way to relieve stress and anxiety.  

Unfortunately, wintertime fun can come with a host of hazards. From skiing and hiking beautiful snowy landscapes to exercising outdoors and snow shoveling, there are plenty of preparations you should take when enjoying these activities to keep you safe and warm.

So before lacing up your shoes and stepping foot outside, check out SummaCare’s tips to protect your family so you can enjoy the snowy season with ease.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

Plenty of warm layers, including hats, scarves, gloves and warm boots, and taking breaks from the outdoors regularly are key to avoiding cold-weather threats.

Frostbite is a skin injury that occurs when body tissues freeze. Wind chills below freezing, long periods of time outdoors, wet clothing and exposed skin can increase your risk for frostbite.

Frostbite usually affects the extremities, such as the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes. Warning signs include numbness and skin that is white or grayish in color and firm or waxy.

Hypothermia is another big concern during the coldest months of the year. In freezing temperatures, the body can lose heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in abnormally low body temperatures. Common symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness, confusion and slurred speech.

Victims of frostbite or hypothermia should move indoors and seek medical attention immediately.

Exercising Outdoors

Shorter days and colder weather can translate to less exercise. But to stay healthy and fit throughout the winter months, you need to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. If exercising outdoors is a must, there are ways to keep yourself safe. If you have certain conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, check with your doctor first.

  • Dress in layers that can be removed as you heat up and be sure to keep your hands, feet and ears covered
  • Change wet clothing or shoes immediately, as it draws heat away from the body and puts you at higher risk for frostbite
  • Don’t overexert yourself when exercising outdoors in the cold
  • Shorten your workout or move indoors on the most frigid days, especially when wind chills reach below freezing

Winter Sports

Winter is a great time for outdoor fun, from skiing and snowboarding to ice skating and sledding, or snowmobiling. But there are precautions you should take to reduce your chances of injury, including:

  • Never engage in outdoor activities alone and stick to trails/areas you’re familiar with
  • Take a training class to learn how to drive a snowmobile, or take lessons to ensure you know how to stop, slow down and turn while skiing or snowboarding
  • Always wear proper safety equipment, including a helmet
  • Check equipment before engaging in any activity
  • Avoid ice skating on ice that has formed over running water and be sure the ice is at least four inches thick

Slippery Surfaces

With icy, slippery conditions, falling is unfortunately a common wintertime injury. When heading outside, make sure your shoes or boots have a sole with good traction and a low heel to help prevent slips and falls. Watch where you’re going, keep your hands free and tread carefully to avoid icy patches.

Driving Conditions

While you can’t control the weather, you can decide to stay home and avoid driving. Each year, more than 150,000 car crashes occur due to snowy, slippery roads, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

If you must go out, make sure roads are in good condition. Go slow and be especially careful on bridges and overpasses. Keep an ice scraper and brush in your car to clean all windows before getting behind the wheel.

Snow Shoveling

While snow shoveling can be good exercise, it can also be life threatening. Studies show when temperatures drop, the rates of heart attacks, stroke and other heart-related problems go up, according to the American Heart Association. Cold weather makes your heart work harder to keep your body warm.

If you’re at an increased risk for heart disease, consider investing in a snow blower or plow service. If that’s not an option and you must shovel, don’t overexert yourself, take frequent breaks indoors to warm up, especially on the most frigid days, and consider a snow service for heavy snowfalls.

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