AEDC Safety provides cold weather safety tips

  • Published
  • By Richard Fleming
  • AEDC Safety

As we enter the coldest part of the year, we need to remember the best ways to stay safe when exposed to the cold.

Weather.gov tells us to “Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing and a hat. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.” They then offer these examples:

When the weather is chilly (below 50° Fahrenheit)

  • Wear one to two long layers.
  • Wear an outer layer to keep out wind.
  • Wear warm waterproof shoes.

When the weather is cold (below 32°)

  • Wear a warm hat.
  • Wear two to three layers.
  • Wear gloves.
  • Wear one to two layers of pants.
  • Wear waterproof boots.
  • Wear an outer layer to keep out wind and wet snow.   

When the weather is extremely cold (20° and below)

  • Wear a warm hat.
  • Wear at least three layers, with one of these being an insulating layer.
  • Wear an outer layer to keep out wind.
  • The wearing of a facemask is recommended.
  • Wear gloves.
  • Wear warm waterproof shoes.

Types of Layers:

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

  • An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body.
  • Natural fibers, like wool, goose down or a 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.

Additional 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.
  • Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that your body is losing heat. Constant shivering is a sign that it is time to go inside.
  • If you do not prepare for the cold, it can quickly cause you to suffer from hypothermia.

Hypothermia

The Mayo Clinic defines hypothermia as “a condition that occurs when the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).”

It is a medical emergency when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.

Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, difficulty speaking or sleepiness

Frostbite

The Mayo Clinic defines frostbite as an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. 

Signs of frostbite include numbness; tingling; patches of skin in shades of red, white, blue, gray, purple or brown; cold, hard, waxy-looking skin; clumsiness due to joint stiffness; numbness, pain or blistering after rewarming.

Basic treatments for frostbite and hypothermia:

Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.

Don't wait. Take action.If you notice signs of frostbite, seek medical care. If you are not able to get medical help right away, take steps to protect yourself and others.

Eating well-balanced meals will help you stay warmer. Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as they cause your body to lose heat faster. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages or broth to help keep yourself warm. If you have any dietary restrictions, ask your doctor.

Avoid going outside if possible. If you have to go outside during extremely cold weather, make trips outside as brief as possible and remember these tips below to protect your health and safety.

Be careful while traveling.

  • Listen for reports of travel advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
  • Do not travel in low visibility conditions.
  • Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses and bridges.
  • Never pour water on your windshield to remove ice or snow. This can cause your windshield to shatter.
  • If you must travel by car, use tire chains and take a mobile phone with you.
  • If you must travel, let someone know your destination and when you expect to arrive. Ask them to notify authorities if you are late.
  • Always carry extra warm clothing and blankets with you. Don't rely on a car to provide enough heat. The car could break down.

For those that say, “Nah, I don’t need that! I’ve got a snow scraper and four-wheel drive!” I’ve got news for you — think again! Make sure you, at the very least, have these things in the back of your car to keep you safe during winter months:

  1. Cell phone car charger
  2. Flashlight with extra batteries
  3. Blanket and/or emergency Mylar blanket
  4. Fleece hat, gloves, scarf
  5. Sand or cat litter
  6. Ice scraper and snow brush
  7. First-aid kit
  8. Hand-crank or battery weather radio
  9. Booster Cables
  10. Drinking water and some non-perishable food (trail mix, energy bars, etc.)

Pro tips

Once you have your car kit assembled keep the car kit in your back seat, so you can access it if you need to. Put batteries in backward to conserve battery power (and then, of course, remember to switch them back when you need to use it).

Well, winter is here, and we should always be prepared for an emergency. No matter what the weather looks like right now, you should always plan for what the weather could be later. Be prepared for winter weather at home, at work and in your car. 

Be careful and take care of each other.