Helpful Tips for Cold Weather Safety

Even in the warmer regions of Canada, we’re experiencing a steep drop in temperatures. Looking out over the frosty rooftops is beautiful, but it also means that going outdoors can be more treacherous than usual.

Here are a few winter safety tips to consider, whether you have just a little frost or 10 feet of snow!

• Check in with the weather forecast regularly and listen up for wind chill warnings. Perhaps use Environment Canada as your homepage?
• Create a cold weather safety plan. Those who are outdoors for work, at school, or commuting via walking or biking, might consider taking warm-up breaks, taking recess indoors or catching a bus.
• Dress in layers, with a wind resistant outer layer. Remember that we lose most of our body heat from our heads, so wear a toque! It’s also smart to have gloves, scarves and balaclavas handy. You’ll want to cover up as much skin as possible, to avoid windburn or frostnip.
• Keep your feet warm by wearing wool socks and waterproof shoes.
• Wear SPF lip balm and moisturizing sunblock to protect you from both sun and windburn.
• Dry winter air may also dehydrate you quickly, so it’s always a good idea to have water on hand.
• Seek shelter if the weather is getting too cold.
• Stay dry. If your clothes get wet, try to find a way to dry them out or change them as soon as possible.
• Keep moving, if you need to be outside it can be vital to generate some body heat.
• Watch out for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. If you notice symptoms like shivering, confusion, or loss of muscular control, you’ll want to get yourself or whoever is suffering into a warmer place.

For more information on hypothermia and frostbite, you can visit Canada’s Get Prepared website, or simply wait for our next blog post—where we’ll be taking a closer look at the symptoms, and how to treat them!

-Article contributed by Sophie Wooding – Avid gardener and cyclist in Victoria, BC and Content Writer for Frontier.io