The National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Safety season is underway (December 1st through February 28th). Therefore, now is a good time to reassess your winter weather preparedness both at home and at work, especially if your work requires you to be outdoors during winter weather.
Safeguard Yourself from Hypothermia
Make sure that you’re aware of the signs of hypothermia and frostbite and don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention. The risk of hypothermia is not limited to negative temperatures and can also happen between temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the most common signs of hypothermia are low body temperature, shivering, fatigue, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, or blue-tinted skin. If someone begins exhibiting signs of hypothermia, the CDC recommends the following safety procedures:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Move the person to a warm room or vehicle
- Remove wet clothing
- Provide the victim with warm beverages
- Once the victim’s body temperature has increased, keep them dry and wrapped in a warm blanket
Recognizing Suspected Frostbite
The most common sign of frostbite is redness or pain in any skin area. Other warning signs include numbness/loss of feeling, a white or grayish-yellow tint to the skin, or an abnormal feeling such as waxy or firmer skin. If one of you or someone you work with begin to exhibit symptoms or signs of frostbite, the CDC recommends the following:
- Move to a warm location as quickly as possible
- Immerse the affected area in warm, not hot, water or warm the affected area using body heat
- Don’t walk on frostbitten feet or toes
- Don’t use a heating pad, radiator, or fireplace for warming
- Don’t massage the frostbitten area, as this may cause more damage
- Seek medical attention
The best defense against conditions like hypothermia and frostbite is prevention, which starts with appropriate clothing, limiting time outside in wet and cold conditions, and closely monitoring the physical condition of oneself and others around you.
Plan Ahead with a Winter Emergency Kit
Do you have to travel on wet or snowy roads for work? Do you perform field work in winter weather? If so, be sure to be equipped with a cold-weather safety kit containing items such as:
- Foil and/or wool blankets
- Spare clothing
- Hats and gloves or mittens
- Chemical hand warmers
- Ice scraper/snow brush
- Shovel
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Maps
- Snacks and bottled water
- Jumper cables
- Road flares or reflective warning triangles
- Basic first aid kit
- Spare cell phone charger
- Rechargeable battery pack
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