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With the weather changing and
temperatures dropping, one will either be looking forward to
snuggling inside a cozy house or bundling up to enjoy outdoor
sports such as winter skiing and
sledding.
Here are some cold weather safety
suggestions to heed from the American Red Cross:
● Dress appropriately before going outdoors. Frostbite and
hyperthermia can occur even when
temperatures are above freezing.
● Wear a hat; most body heat is lost through the head. Keep ears
covered as well to prevent
frostbite.
● Dress in layers to adapt to changing weather conditions.
● Wear waterproof boots to keep feet dry and warm.
● Wear mittens instead of gloves to keep hands warm.
● Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the body with a
blanket and warm fluids like
soup. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
The symptoms of hypothermia are confusion, dizziness,
exhaustion, and severe shivering. If any
of these occur, seek medical attention immediately.
The warning signs of frostbite include: gray, white, or yellow
skin discoloration, numbness, and
waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention should these symptoms
occur.
For more information on winter
safety tips, go to the American Red Cross web site at
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/coldweather.html |
