You may not think it but Winter is a great time to be active outdoors! Cold days mean less of a crowd outside, more open spaces at the park etc. However, winter weather can be harsh on your body—especially if you're not prepared for it! Here are some safety considerations that will help keep you safe as you enjoy the big chill:
Sunburn
Sunburn is a serious condition that can result in long-term damage to the skin. The sun's rays can be just as harmful in winter as they are during summer, so it's important to wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you're out exercising.
Sunscreen: Make sure you have on adequate protection from the sun's UV rays with an SPF 30 or higher. If you get too much sun, even on overcast days, this could lead to a burn that causes pain and swelling of your skin.
Sun Hat: A wide brimmed hat is also an excellent choice for protecting yourself against harmful UV rays while exercising outdoors during winter months. The best part about wearing one? It keeps your face shaded from harmful UV light while still allowing enough ventilation so that sweat doesn't build up under the band of your cap!
Sunglasses: Sunglasses aren't just for looks--they're also essential for protecting eyesight during outdoor activities! Sunglasses can help to protect against the sun's harmful UV rays, which could otherwise lead to a painful burn or even cataracts!
Ski Goggles: Ski goggles are essential for protecting eyesight during outdoor activities like skiing or snowboarding.
Cold-Weather Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. The most common form of hypothermia occurs when you are exposed to cold temperatures and your body cannot maintain its core temperature. In fact, even if the ambient air temperature is above freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), but your skin feels chilled or wet due to rain or snow, hypothermia may occur.
It’s important to note that hypothermia can occur even if you’re dressed appropriately for the weather. If you are exposed to cold temperatures and cannot find shelter, your body will begin losing heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia makes your thinking cloudy and slows down your reactions, which may make it harder for you to think clearly or move quickly enough to avoid injury in an emergency situation. You may lose consciousness or even die if left untreated.
There are three stages of hypothermia: mild, moderate and severe. Each stage is characterized by a different set of symptoms.
The first stage begins when your body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This stage is often accompanied by shivering, fatigue and confusion. In severe cases, your pulse may become slow and irregular.
The second stage of hypothermia begins when your body temperature falls below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms include slow or weak pulse, slowed breathing, lack of coordination, irritability, confusion and sleepy behavior.
Symptoms of the third stage of hypothermia include slow, weak or absent respiration and pulse as well as possible loss of consciousness.
Dry Skin
Use a moisturizer with SPF. On dry skin, sunscreen is more likely to clog pores and cause breakouts. Look for a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30.
Apply lip balm with SPF. In addition to protecting your lips from the sun's harmful rays, it can also help prevent chapped lips and cold sores by forming an invisible barrier against windburns and other irritants that may occur outdoors during winter sports activities such as skiing or snowboarding.* Wear a hat (and sunglasses). Hats are great for keeping warm but they also protect your face from harmful UV rays; wearing one will keep you looking fresh all day long!
Frostbite
Frostbite is a condition that occurs when skin and other tissues freeze. The most common areas for frostbite are the nose, cheeks, ears, chin, fingers, and toes. It can be prevented by wearing the right clothing and keeping warm.
Frostbite can also occur in other parts of the body though. When frostbite happens, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Make sure your family knows how to recognize the symptoms and what steps to take if they notice them.
Windchill Factor
Windchill is the temperature that you feel when the wind blows on your exposed skin. Windchill Factor (WCF) is calculated by taking into account the air temperature, winds and other factors such as humidity.
If you are active in cold weather, WCF can be more important than air temperature alone because it takes into account how fast you are moving through the air--the faster you move and/or swim through water or snow without protection from wind, the higher your risk of getting hypothermia or frostbite will be.
Windchill Factor is a number that takes into account all of the above factors to determine how fast your body will lose heat. The WCF formula is as follows. When the wind chill factor is below zero, it can feel like minus 20 degrees. When it’s above 25, it can feel like 100 degrees. Don’t rely on your car alone to keep you warm.
Be prepared for the weather and safety hazards, and enjoy winter sports!
- Dress properly.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Take precautions to avoid sunburn, frostbite and hypothermia.
- Take care of your skin.
- Keep an eye on the windchill factor:
The best way to stay warm is to layer up. Wear a hat, scarf and gloves if you’re going outside for more than 10 minutes. If it’s below zero and windy, keep your head covered with a hooded sweatshirt or ski mask.
Conclusion
The most important thing is to be prepared for the weather and safety hazards before you even leave home!
