Emergency Preparedness

Tips for Dealing With Cold & Snow

Winter can be an invigorating and enjoyable season. It also can be hazardous and unpredictable. Since winter weather conditions change frequently and rapidly, it is a smart idea to be prepared.

Wind Chill

Winter temperatures can be deceiving. Thermometers measure only the cold. Don't forget that the effects upon your body are compounded by the wind. The combined effect of winter cold and wind speed is called wind chill. The dangerous effects of wind chill rise as the temperature drops and the wind speed increases. Heat is carried away faster from the skin, driving down body temperature. This can lead to frostbite or hypothermia.

Warning signs of hypothermia, or low body temperature, include:

• Uncontrollable shivering

• Memory loss

• Disorientation

• Incoherence

• Slurred speech

• Drowsiness

• Apparent exhaustion

To determine if a person has hypothermia, take his or her temperature. If the body temperature is below 95 degrees F, immediately seek medical assistance.

Winter Dress

To avoid a chill, try to stay warm and dry. Layering clothing helps prepare you for different conditions and activities. Use three essential layers - underwear, insulation and outer shell - in different combinations to maintain comfort through changes in weather and exertion levels.

• Underwear: Provides basic insulation and moves moisture from skin, preventing chill when activity stops. Choose long underwear or thin, snug-fitting pants with a long-sleeved T-shirt or turtleneck.

• Insulation: Use one or more layers, depending on conditions. Sweaters, sweatshirts and other similar garments are good insulators. Some newer insulating pieces also are suitable as an outer shell in milder weather.

• Outer Shell: Choose garments that are windproof and preferably waterproof. Good fit is crucial. If the shell is too big, heat loss can occur. If it is too small, there may not be enough room for insulating layers.

Walks And Driveways

Treading a slick sidewalk or moving your car from a slippery driveway can be dangerous. Accidental deaths most frequently occur in January when an estimated 1,000 people die from falls outside the house.

• Act Early: It's easier to remove snow immediately after a snowfall before it becomes packed or turns to ice.

• Keep Sidewalks Safe: Many ice melters can reduce the risk of slips and falls and are more effective than items such as kitty litter and sand.

• Clear a Wide Path: Clear more than a single shovel width to make walking safer and easier.

• Shoveling: This demands heavy physical exertion. The strain can cause a heart attack. Sweating from over-exertion can lead to a chill and hypothermia. If you must shovel, remember to take it slow, lift small amounts (especially when snow is wet and heavy), and use proper posture to prevent back strain.