Winter Ready: How You and Your Family Can Tackle Any Outdoor Activity in the Cold
Life doesn’t stop when the weather gets cold. You may be among the millions of people who work outdoors, shovel snow or engage in winter sports that can be hazardous to your health. You can protect yourself against frostbite and other cold weather issues by taking careful measures to dress carefully before you step out of the house.
Here are a few tips that will help stay safe and warm when doing cold weather outdoor activities.
Wear Good Boots
A good pair of work boots that are waterproof is a necessity if you plan on being outdoors in cold weather. Boots that are comfortable, fit well and have a good tread on the bottom will help you to perform well in the cold and snow.
Use Layers of Clothing for Insulation
Experts recommend layering your clothing when going out in cold weather. Layering allows air to act as insulation in between the layers.
Start with a high-quality tee shirt from a place like Over Under Clothing, and then additional layers, such as a long-sleeved shirt, a fleece sweatshirt and then a quilted jacket. This measure will help you to stay warmer, longer when out in cold temperatures.
Protect Your Head
Although we don’t lose heat more through our heads than other parts of our bodies, as was once believed, it’s important to wear a hat to stay warm when out in cold weather. This measure can be particularly important for preventing frostbite on edges of the ears.
So wear your hat and make sure it can cover your ears.
The Right Gloves
Choose the right type of gloves for the actions you expect to perform. Gloves that allow greater flexibility are required for some activities.
If manual dexterity isn’t important for your activities, you can choose a thicker material with greater insulation. You can also wear a thin glove under an insulated glove, for even better protection against frostbite.
Avoid Breathing Icy Air
When the temperature falls below zero, and wind chill factors become a factor, you should also protect your respiratory system from taking in very cold air. Individuals who have asthma, COPD or are prone to bronchitis are at particular risk from breathing icy air.
If you are spending time outdoors in very cold weather, wrap a thin scarf over your nose and mouth to help warm the air before it enters your lungs. If you are planning to engage in activities outdoors in cold weather, you will have to do a bit of preparation in advance to ensure your safety and effectiveness.
The investment in appropriate cold weather gear will pay off in a good experience. Of course, you can use these items again and again.
Keep these tips in mind. You’ll find you can master the cold, whatever your plans.
When the winter months come along and temperatures drop precipitously, our first instinct is to get inside and warm up next to the heater (or a fire if you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace). If only kids thought the same way.
Winter to them just means adding a few new games into their already hectic outdoor schedules. Try as you might, you probably won’t be able to quell that playful nature in your young ones. Instead, you should make sure they are well protected from the weather.
