Tips For Surviving Cold Weather

When winter decides to arrive so does the cold weather and temperatures can vary from mild cold to severely cold depending on where you are and also depending on wind chill factors. If you are unprepared for the cold it can have serious consequences so be sure to follow these tips for surviving the cold weather.

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures combined with moisture or wind can cause cold related injuries such as hypothermia or frostbite so it’s important that you always dress appropriately. Start by wearing several layers of clothing that fit loosely. That way your body will be insulated by trapping the warm, dry air inside. Wool and loosely woven cotton are best because they resist trapping moisture and dampness but are excellent at trapping air.

Your head and neck will lose heat the fastest so it’s important to wear a warm hat and a scarf. A turtleneck also works well for protecting the neck. Your hat should fit snugly and cover your ears properly as they are prone to frostbite. Your nose and cheeks are also prone so in extreme weather be sure to wrap your scarf up over your face or wear a ski style hat that has face protection.

Your feet can also become cold quickly and this can cause your entire body to loose heat. Toes are prone to frostbite so it’s important that you wear warm winter socks and waterproof footwear.

Boots should not only be waterproof they should have good grip so that stops you from sliding and good support. Higher boots are excellent for keeping the leg warm and allowing you to walk through deeper snow without getting wet feet. Boots that fasten tightly at the top are also a good choice.

Mittens should be well lined with a waterproof exterior to provide optimum protection. There are some excellent no fibers being used that are light and warm.

Your jacket should cover your bum and it should have an internal draw string which you can adjust to ensure blowing snow cannot get inside of your coat. The sleeves should also be cuffed inside to prevent snow from entering and a hood is always helpful especially in very cold climates.

Be sure the jacket your purchase is rated appropriately for the temperatures in your area. Ski jackets have come a long way in the past few years. Nice light weight, non bulky, breathable, and very warm. They might cost a few dollars more but they are worth every penny.

If you plan to spend time working or playing out in the cold you should also consider a pair of snow pants which will help keep your legs both warm and dry. It will extend the length of time you can stay out in the cold considerably.

You need to watch for frostbite during the cold. It can be hard to tell how bad it is until several hours later after the skin has thawed. You need to get anyone suffering from frostbit out of the cold and into a warm place immediately. Then remove any clothing restricting circulation in the area. You should seek medical attention immediately.

You home also needs to be prepared to survive the cold. This means keeping sidewalks, driveways, and entrances free from ice and snow. You also need to make sure your gutters are clear so as not to have ice dams build and damage your home.

Maintain your house at 65 degrees to ensure lines do not freeze and it’s always a good idea to use pipe wrap on your exposed lines. Make sure all your doors and windows seal properly.

Your car should also be prepared for the cold. Make sure you have good winter tires, that your heater is operating optimally and than you have your antifreeze and windshield wiper fluids are good for minus temperatures. Always make sure your windows are clear and unobstructed before driving. And drive with extra caution on winter roads.

Surviving the cold doesn’t have to be difficult. A little bit of preparedness and smart thinking will have you, your home, and your car all ready for the cold winter season. And before you know it spring will be here!


Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. This means that as a publisher you may reprint the articles that are included in our site, as long as the article is unedited and the author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.