Ah New England, first it feels like summer during Christmas and now it's below 10 degrees outside and snowing. While we thought we could for once escape the cold this year, it finally came back for revenge. It's important to take the cold weather seriously and stay warm. Here's a few tips on how to stay safe and cozy this winter:
1. Bundle up
This goes without saying, but the more layers, the better.
2. Change out of damp clothing ASAP
Dry clothes = good
Wet clothes = bad
Also, don't over bundle if you plan on going for an outdoor run, especially if the clothes aren't too water-resistant. Sweat = damp = bad.
3. Beware of frostbite!
While frostnip can be treated with warm (not hot) water, frostbite is more painful and can require medical attention.
4. Heating up the car
If you plan on driving after a blizzard and your car is completely buried, please be sure snow is not blocking the tailpipe. Otherwise carbon monoxide will fill up in your car as you're keeping warm. That also means never heat up the car in the garage!
5. Watch out for ice!
If it's an unusually warm day and there's still ice on the pond, it's probably not a good idea to go ice skating, especially alone. Also it is important to drive safely when there's the risk of black ice on the roads.
Take a look at this list to prepare yourself for falling through ice.
6. Hand warmers
Can't go wrong
7. Hot tea
Heals the soul and heats you right up!
8. Cooking
Baking food in the winter is a warm activity that'll heat the whole house up. Just don't burn yourself ...
9. Stay germ-free!
The winter is a time of sickness and germs. Please, wash your hands, cover your mouth when coughing, etc.
10. Exercise and eating right
Of course ... the solution to everything, right? How cliched. However, eating healthy food gives you the right energy to warm your body up and exercising gets the blood flowing.
11. Beware of Hypothermia
Nice little warning we all got from my school: "Hypothermia can occur when your body temperature drops only two or three degrees and after only 30 minutes of exposure. Slurred speech, shivering, loss of coordination and confusion can be signs of hypothermia requiring rapid treatment." But please, get inside as soon as you go outside if you don't plan on building a snowman.
