In today’s guide, we will discuss some safety tips for winter season. Winter weather, especially storms, can be very dangerous and shoveling snow is harder and more strenuous than you think. So always dress warmly in layers and take good care of your health and safety. Here are some easy ways to protect from winter season:
1. Plan ahead
The best way to protect you and your family during a winter storm or extreme cold temperatures is to plan ahead. Make use of spring sales to buy winter items that are a lot cheaper then. This way, you can prepare for the next winter. Next, discuss an emergency plan with your family in case you are not all in the same place when a storm is expected. Gather an emergency kit of supplies and keep it in an accessible place. Also keep an emergency kit inside the car with some dry, non-perishable food and water in case you have to drive.
2. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Another of the important winter safety tips at work and home include prevention of asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Thousands of people die every year in winters due to CO poisoning. So do not take this lightly. Install battery powered CO detectors with alarms.
3. Stay up-to-date with winter weather forecasts
Utilize the public broadcast services and local weather channels alongside the Farmer’s almanac. These warn of winter storms and can help you stay up to date. Shop and stock up on food and essentials before the storm hits.
4. Take care when shoveling snow
The number of people ending up in the emergency room owing to exhaustion and heart attacks increase in winters thanks to snow shoveling. Most people take this very lightly and believe they are fit for it.
- It is very important to take frequent breaks during this activity and ensure that you are in good physical shape to shovel snow in the first place.
- Keep yourself hydrated and never stay out in cold weather for prolonged periods. Failure to follow this winter safety tip could cause painful frostbite and, in extreme cases, hypothermia.
- Always dress up warmly in loose-fitting, light weight layers when doing outdoor activities. Add some chili powder or cayenne pepper inside socks to keep feet warm.
- Try to keep your skin dry all throughout, since wet skin freezes faster. Apply a thick moisturizer before stepping out. Take a hot bath once you are back inside.
5. Avoid driving as far as possible
- Keep your gas tank filled up before a storm is expected to hit.
- If you cannot avoid driving, at least inform your family and friends about the exact route you plan on taking.
- If you happen to be stranded, stay inside the car. Attempt to run the engine for 10 minutes at a time after every one hour to keep warm air inside the car. Also keep the window slightly open to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- An important among outdoor winter safety tips is to ensure that your exhaust pipe is not clogged. Stay hydrated.
6. When the storm hits
If the power runs out, use sleeping bags and layers of loose fitting clothes to stay warm. To keep the house warm, close off as many doors and windows and seal off cracks. In case you have hallways without doors, use plastic tarps or old sheets to seal them off. Never heat a home with a stove or outdoor heating or cooking equipment like grill, propane heaters, camp stoves etc.
7. Watch out for black ice
When outside, watch out for black ice which is a thin layer of ice on pavements that is not seen easily and is very slippery.
8. Keep pets and farm animals safe
Animals are also affected by harsh winter weather. Take extra care and if needed, bring the pets indoors.
Check out our article on Easy Ways To Keep Pets Safe in Winters.
9. Eat healthy
A balanced diet can go a long way in keeping you healthy in winters. Eat small, nutritious meals every few hours. Snack on healthy stuff like fruits and vegetables. Soups, stews, broths and herbal teas are good choices for drinks as they can keep you warm and hydrated. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as well as sugary sodas. These increase the rate at which your body loses heat and also dehydrate the body faster. Drink tons of water even if you do not feel thirsty. Try to curb nicotine intake if you are a smoker.
10. Stay cheerful
Winter weather means shorter, colder and darker days. Many people experience post Holiday blues as well as depression due to reduced daylight. To prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD), check our tips in this article.