Winter Safety Tips

Brrrrr it’s cold out!

Winter temperatures combined with wind can cause many dangers including severe injuries
and even death. Frostbite injuries can lead to amputations. Hypothermia, the most serious
of cold weather complications can lead to brain damage and death. Elderly, children,
outdoor workers, the homeless and people who play sports outdoors are at the most risk.
Parkland Ambulance Paramedics would like to offer a few tips to help keep you and your
family warm during the winter and prevent cold weather injuries or illnesses.

Keeping Warm

    •  Plan ahead and check the weather conditions before you leave the house.
    •  During the winter months, dress your child warmly. It is important to cover as much of
        the body as possible because exposed body part are very susceptible to heat loss
        and frostbite. Cover your chin, cheeks and face with a scarf or neck warmer; wear a
        warm hat that completely covers their ears and gloves or mitts!
    •  Ensure you are dressed in layers of warm clothing with an outer jacket that is wind
        breaking. This helps your body stay dry and warm.
    •  Provide warm beverages to warm up. Avoid caffeine or alcohol.

Hypothermia

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This is a word used to describe when the body's internal temperature becomes too cool. It is
a result of being exposed to temperatures that are too cold for too long a period of time. It is
a condition that can be hazardous to your health and even life threatening. Signs of
hypothermia include:
     •  A person mumbling when they talk
     •  A person stumbling when they walk
     •  A person who fumbles objects
In all instances try to warm the person up, by going to a warm, dry place, removing wet
clothing, wrap them in blankets (warmed in the dryer if possible) and have them consume
warm non-alcoholic beverages and seek medical attention.

 Frostbite

                        Frostbite is a condition where there is a freezing of skin because of too
                        much exposure to cold weather. It usually occurs in the extremities (fingers,
toes, cheeks, nose and ears). Look for skin to initially become pink or reddish with pain and
then go on to become patchy red, white or waxy with numbness or tingling.
It is very important to try and warm up the affected areas by using a person's body heat or a
warm compress. Avoid direct heat, which can burn the skin. Do not rub the area as it can
cause more damage. Seek medical attention.