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