Winter Safety Tips: Don’t wait, take action!
- Seek shelter in warm spaces or stay dry and out of the wind.
- Layer clothing and avoid cotton. (Synthetic fabrics wick moisture from your skin and dry quickly.)
- Wear a water repellent outer layer.
- Wear a hat/hood, 40% of body heat is lost from your head.
- Wear mittens or gloves, snug at the wrist.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
- Stay hydrated and consume warm liquids.
- Know emergency contact location and carry emergency supplies.
- Know how to get help.
Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is a medical emergency and immediate medical care is necessary. Be aware of early signs of cold-related illnesses.
Signs + Symptoms
- Shivering, confusion, exhaustion, drowsiness or feeling very tired.
- Memory loss and slurred speech.
- Signs in babies: bright red, cold skin, and very low energy.
Helping those who may be hypothermic:
- Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
- Remove wet clothing.
- Warm the center of the person’s body—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. You can also use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
- Warm drinks can help increase body temperature, but do not give alcoholic drinks. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
- After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrap their body, including their head and neck, in a warm blanket.
- Get the person proper medical attention as soon as possible.
Frostbite:
A person who has frostbite may be unaware until it’s pointed out because the frozen parts of their body are numb.
Signs + Symptoms
- Redness or pain in any skin area
- A white or grayish-yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
Helping those who may have frostbite:
- Get the person into a warm room as soon as possible.
- Unless necessary, do not walk on feet or toes that show signs of frostbite—this increases the damage.
- Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
- Put the areas affected by frostbite in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
- If warm water is not available, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, you can use the heat of an armpit to warm frostbitten fingers.
- Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can easily burn.
- Get the person proper medical attention as soon as possible.
(Sources: Weather.Gov, Healthwise.net/ YMCA)