Try to stay indoors during extremely cold weather. Make any trips outside as brief as possible and refer to these tips to protect your health and safety.
Dress warmly and stay dry
Adults and children should wear:
Hat
Scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
Water-resistant coat and boots
Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
Layer-up
Inner layer: Wear fabrics that will hold more body heat and don’t absorb moisture. Wool, silk or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.
Insulation layer: Retaining heat by trapping air close to your body is essential. Natural fibers, like wool, goose down or fleece work best.
Outer layer: The outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain and snow. It should be tightly woven and preferably water and wind resistant to reduce loss of body heat.
Cold weather tips
Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body quickly.
Excess sweating will cause your body to lose more heat, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.
Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. Getting these materials on your skin will cause your body to lose much more heat.
Do not ignore shivering—it’s a vital first sign that your body is losing heat. Constant shivering is a sign that it is time to go inside.
Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia
Hypothermia. Abnormally low body temperature is a dangerous condition that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. In adults, warning signs of hypothermia include:
Shivering
Exhaustion or feeling very tired
Confusion
Fumbling hands
Memory loss
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
In babies or young children, look for:
Bright red, cold skin
Very low energy
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95° F, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.
Frostbite. This is an injury caused by freezing. It can lead to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, usually the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.
Signs of frostbite include:
White or grayish-yellow skin area
Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numb.
If you notice signs of frostbite, seek medical care.
Use caution when icy
Walking on ice is extremely dangerous. Many injuries related to cold weather happen from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as ice-free as possible by using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. Sand may also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.
Avoid exertion and stay safe during cleanup
Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly to avoid excessive sweating. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don’t overdo it.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
