Winter Cold & Hypothermia Prevention Tips

There are various warning signs that hint it is time to get out of the dangerous winter cold temps. By recognizing that help is needed immediately when these symptoms occur, damage to the body, including possible death, can be prevented. If one learns the tell tale warnings that the body sends out, one will not ever damage his system from the cold. It makes for good common sense actually. A case of the body being frozen can bring on subtle signs of speech problems such as stuttering, slowness, shivering, muscle tightness and being clumsy. It is called hypothermia and hypothermia happens when ones' body temperature inside comes below the normal mark, sending all those symptoms of freezing to surface.

Also, if severe hypothermia strikes, the symptoms will be somewhat more aggressive. Noticeably, the person will have mental confusion, shallow and/or very slowed breathing, absence of shivering, stiff or rigid muscles, disorientation, a weak pulse, and drop in blood pressure. SEEK IMMEDIATE ATTENTION if symptoms are detected, especially in the elderly, babies, and those with health problems. Call for help, do not delay. This is a real emergency that could possibly end in death if time is not used wisely.

To prevent hypothermia here are some valuable tips:

Wear loose clothing that is warm.Make sure to keep the head and feet warm.

Choose several layers of clothes rather than one heavy garment.

Sleep with plenty of warm covers, electric blankets, no drafts, and no running fans.

Eat hot meals that are nutritionally balanced and drink plenty of tea and vitamin c.

Have a contact outside the home and practice reporting in to him if you are alone.

NO BOOZE! Avoid alcohol at all costs, as it will make winter cold conditions worse.
In fact, alcohol use can make one mask the body's true temperature, hindering help.

Prepare emergency phone numbers and keep them in a place close by the phone.

Most importantly, avoid too much exertion outdoors during the winter months. Relax.

Follow doctor's orders about doing any hard work at all outdoors in the winter cold.

Take extra care if you have heart, circulatory, breathing, or other serious problems.

Equally as important, frostbite can be a real problem so watch how long your body is outdoors. When the wind chill factor is very low, symptoms of frostbite can include changes in skin appearance such as swelling, reddish, bluish or whitish coloring, numbness, stiffness or rigidity. If left untreated, frostbite can lead to loss of frozen fingers, toes or other affected skin areas.It will require even more time and effort for those who have these issues, so do what is necessary to stay safe!