We are seeing winter weather in Iowa, and there’s sure to be more cold and snow over the next few months. Follow these safety tips to stay safe and warm this winter:
The first step is to stay weather aware. Always check the forecast before heading out. Visit 511ia.org to view road conditions. Avoid traveling when snow or ice is expected. Even a little snowfall can lead to more accidents. If you must drive in these conditions, take it slow and leave extra room between the vehicle in front of you. Just in case, be prepared with a full tank of gas and a car emergency kit.
In order to stay warm and dry when outside, it’s good to wear three layers: the first to wick moisture from your skin, the second to retain body heat, and the top layer to protect you from wind and snow. Don’t forget to cover the parts of your body most prone to frostbite, such as your hands, feet, ears, nose and lips.
Look out for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Frostbite is a skin injury with symptoms that include pain, numbness, discoloration or waxy skin. If you experience these, get to a warm area, and put the affected skin in warm water. Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition in which the body has an extremely low temperature. Signs of hypothermia include exhaustion, confusion, drowsiness, uncontrollable shivering and slurred speech from being in the cold. Call 911 if you notice someone experiencing hypothermia.
Finally, be cautious when shoveling. Shoveling can increase your risk of heart attack or cardiac arrest because of the strain it can put on your heart. Push the snow with a shovel rather than lifting and throwing it. Take it easy, and take plenty of breaks during the process. Immediately stop and seek medical help if you experience chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or nausea.
Natalie Peters is the community health educator in the Dallas County Public Health Department>