Cold Weather Safety and Tips

Cold weather is a normal part of life during the winter across New York and New England. Through much of a normal winter season the cold is not all that difficult to handle. After all we're tough and used to it. However, there are those occasional invasions of bitterly cold air that require you take a few precautions before spending any length of time in it. In this section, I've outlined some safety and preparedness tips for arctic weather outbreaks.

What to Wear?

Typically dressing in loose fitting, light weight, warm clothing in several layers is the best route to go in the winter. Trapped air between layers of clothing offer terrific insulation from the cold. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded. If it's really cold and windy, wear a hat. It has been determined that approximately half of your body's total heat loss comes from your head. A hat can cut down on that heat loss dramatically. On your hands, wear a pair of mittens, snug at the wrists, instead of gloves. Once again, the air space available in mittens offer better insulation and keeps your hands and fingers warmer than ordinary gloves. For your feet, an insulated pair of boots beats sneakers any day in the extreme cold. Above all else, try to stay dry.

Moisture will evaporate very quickly off skin surfaces in cold dry weather cooling your body much more quickly than if your skin’s surface was dry.

Frostbite:

Frostbite is freeze damage to body tissue. Frost bite can occur in as little as thirty minutes on the surface of the skin exposed to wind chill temperatures of -20 degrees fahrenheit. Symptoms of frostbite are loss of feeling and or a white or pale appearance to the extremities like fingers, toes, your nose, ear lobes, etc. Often, there is a lack of any pain with the onset of frostbite which allows extensive frostbite to occur with the victim completely unaware. If you are outside in the bitter cold and you detect symptoms of frostbite, it's recommended that you seek medical help immediately. If you are not in a position to obtain immediate medical help, then slowly re-warm the afflicted areas using a warm compress or immersion in warm, not hot, water.

Hypothermia:

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower caused by prolonged exposure to cold. The warning signs of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If these symptoms are observed, medical attention should be immediately sought. If medical care is not available then the victim needs to be slowly warmed. Note, the body core must be warmed prior to warming the extremities, such as the arms and legs. If the extremities are warmed first, then the cold blood in the arms and legs will be sent to the heart potentially causing heart failure. The first step is to get the victim into dry clothing, if the clothing is wet. Second, wrap the victim in a warm blanket covering the head and neck. Immersion in warm water is also an effective way to raise a core body temperature. Do not administer alcohol, drugs, or any hot beverage or hot food. A warm broth is a superior alternative to a hot beverage.

Pets:

Remember, your pets are just as susceptible to the cold weather and the effects from it as you are. During extremely cold air outbreaks, remember to bring your pets inside.

The Car:

Make sure you winterize your car before cold weather hits, checking the battery, coolant system, and tires at the very least. During the winter, keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice forming in the tank or in the fuel lines.

Carry a winter weather/winter storm survival kit including blankets, flashlights, extra batteries, a radio, first aid kit, extra clothing, a shovel, sand or cat litter, windshield scraper, tow rope, and jumper cables. If you are taking a long trip that requires travel especially through rural areas where you might be stranded for a long period of time, pack non-perishable food and water.