Most people winterize their cars, but they tend to forget winterizing themselves. Cold weather is brutal on skin. Even short exposure to temperatures below freezing can cause painful frostbite. Too much exposure to cold, and it can also cause serious health problems. Here are some things you can do for yourself to protect against the cold:
1. Wear layers. When you go outside, dress as if you were going to work at an oven. Wear a thick sweater or jacket, plus at least one heavy pair of underwear, plus another sweater or jacket. (Don’t wear cotton, by the way. Cotton soaks up moisture and then freezes when you freeze.)
2. Wear wool-lined boots. You can’t get frostbite from wool-lined boots; they trap the warmth inside.
3. Wear a hat. A hat will warm you by trapping heat inside, and will also protect your ears from frostbite. 4. Wear gloves. They make your hands less sensitive to cold.
5. Drink plenty of water.
6. Stay indoors whenever possible. Keep your home as warm as possible during the winter months.
7. Keep your car as warm as possible. If your driving is outside, dress warmly and make sure you have gloves, hats, and blankets in the glove compartment.
8. Avoid extremes. If you go outside into really cold weather, bring something warm with you, such as a jacket, hat, gloves, or blanket.
9. Get plenty of sleep. Being tired will make you even more vulnerable in front of the cold.
10. Keep the wind off you The wind is your enemy. It’s the biggest energy killer. Your goal is to dress in a way that allows the wind to blow right through you. The less of it you let in, the warmer you will be.
