Winter Safety

•Winter is a fun time of the year. We can bundle up and enjoy crisp mornings, outdoor activities, and starlit nights.•While we’re out there enjoying the outdoors, or even a cup of cocoa, we should keep a few things in mind to ensure that our fun doesn’t lead to problems that would keep us from having more fun.

•Frostbite• Being outdoors in the winter can be loads of fun. Too

much cold, however, can lead to painful frostbite on your skin – especially your nose, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes.• There are a few ways that you can minimize your

chances of getting frostbite and still enjoy the outdoors.1. Cover exposed skin with scarves, gloves, hats, and

other winter apparel.2. Shield yourself from the wind.3. Go inside after a while to warm up.

•Hypothermia• If you stay out in the cold too long on a cold day, you

can experience hypothermia – when the core of your body gets too cold and can hurt you.• Take these simple steps to avoid hypothermia.1. Dress in layers.2. Wear a warm hat and a scarf.3. Shield yourself from the wind.4. Hot cocoa or coffee can help you warm up from the

inside.

•Dehydration• Our bodies consist of about 75% water.• When it is cold out, we still sweat and lose some of the

water that is in our bodies.• This liquid needs to be replenished so we don’t become

dizzy, disoriented, and experience headaches and muscle cramps due to dehydration.• If you plan to go outdoors in the winter, remember to

bring plenty of warm drinks with you that you can consume to avoid dehydration. • The longer you are outside, the more you should drink.

That way, you can enjoy even more fun in the snow.

•Wind Chill• Wind chill, a calculation that combines air temperature

and wind speed, is a good indicator of whether/how long you should spend outdoors in the winter.• If it is extra windy outside, the wind chill is lower and it

feels colder to you, making it tougher for your body to withstand the cold.• According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a wind chill

of lower than zero degrees Fahrenheit significantly reduces the amount of time a person should be outside. The higher the wind, the shorter the exposure should be. The recommended maximum time outdoors is cut by 75% when the wind goes from calm to 20 mph.

•Sun Glare• Your eyes are a precious resource.• In order to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun

on the snow, you can do the following.1. Wear polarized sunglasses.2. Wear ski goggles.3. Sit in shady areas.4. Shut your eyes.

•Frozen Water Safety• Experiences on frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers (like ice

fishing) can be a fun part of Winter activities.• Staying safe near/on the water is very important.• You can take several steps to keep yourself safe while you

have fun near/on the water.1. Check with local authorities to see if the ice is thick

enough to venture out on.2. Never walk on a frozen body of water without a friend

nearby.3. Ice less than 4 inches thick can be deadly for a person.

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•Slippery sidewalks and parking lots• Despite our best efforts, sidewalks and parking lots can

become icy and treacherous.• As you enjoy Winter activities, here are a few tips to

keep from being injured from a fall.1. Ensure that staff are with you if you go outside in

wintry weather.2. Inspect walkways and parking areas to see if they have

been shoveled and treated before you go out on them.3. If you feel it is safe, remember to move cautiously.4. If you think that it might not be safe for you to go

outside, tell staff right away.

•Have fun this Winter. Enjoy the great outdoors and stay safe.