Continuing the theme of our past few posts, certain injuries are more common in colder weather, such as slips and falls, injuries due to shoveling and, of course, vehicle accidents due to wet or slippery conditions.
A few additional tips to stay warm and healthy this year include:
Dry feet=warm feet. Wear warm breathable waterproof boots. Don’t under-estimate the importance of the right sock. Cotton socks are not your friend during the winter months; they make your feet colder. Wear a fleece, IsoWool, or sock liner. A good sock can make a crucial difference.
Dress in layers. It’s best to wear several loose-fitting, light weight warm layers. Make sure your outer layer repels water and cuts the wind. Cover you head and hands with warm clothing. In extreme cold wear a face mask.
Eat properly. Before working outdoors drink lots of fluid, but avoid alcohol and caffeine which increases the rate in which your body loses heat.
Know daily weather conditions. Watch your local news and plan ahead. Keep an eye on the wind chill factor. Wind chill is a combination of the actual temperature and wind speed. Low wind chill numbers mean that any body parts exposed will lose heat at a faster rate. High wind chills mean weather related problems are more likely to occur, so take more precautions.