It’s winter in New England and the temperature has dropped low. The CDC has provided a list of tips for how to protect yourself against the cold. Try to stay indoors during extremely cold weather. Make any trips outside as brief as possible, and remember these tips below to protect your health and safety.
Take Action
Dress warmly and stay dry; wear a hat, scarf, and mittens. If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, work slowly. Avoid walking on ice or getting wet, and notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking, camping, or skiing. Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses, and bridges if at all possible – If you are stranded, it is safest to stay in your car.
Dress Warmly and Stay Dry
Adults and children should wear:
- a hat
- a 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: An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool or goose down, or a classic 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 rapidly.
- Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.
- Also, avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials in contact with the skin greatly increase heat loss from the body.
- Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.
For more information on how to beat the cold, visit www.cdc.gov.
