Working Safely In Cold Weather
With winter approaching, many of us start to turn our thoughts to the cold and chilly weather that's just around the corner. But with the extra heaters and long-coats come other considerations — namely, safety and health.
This article is all about staying safe in cold weather while still enjoying all that winter has to offer! It will give you helpful tips on how to avoid slipping on ice and taking a tumble, how dressing in layers can help you stay warm but not overheat as well as how to stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning from your heater.
Step One: Put on the correct clothing!
The first step in staying safe while working in cold weather is to stay warm without taking extra heat from your body. Wearing a long-sleeve shirt and long pants under a thick scarf will help you keep your core warm — even if the air temperature is freezing outside. It also goes without saying that it's best to cover up with boots, hats and gloves since cold can irritate your scalp, eyes and ears.
Wearing proper winter clothing will help you avoid accidents and injuries, especially when working close to or inside of heating equipment. No one wants to get a cold, nasty RSI injury from a tiny little finger twitch.
Step Two: Heat up your body!
While wearing layers is the best approach to staying warm, taking extra heat from your body is not the only way to stay warm. The most effective way of warming up is by exposing your skin to the sun as much as you can. Spending time outside in the winter means getting some vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient for preventing colds and flu and improving how well you can resist infection in general.
Getting a tan may not be your first priority, especially if you'll notice the sun's effects on your skin for months to come! However, some exposure to the cold and winter sun will warm you up from the inside out. It's also helpful if you plan on heading out for a run or doing some outside work — a little sunlight will go a long way towards banishing the chills this winter!
Step Three: Keep hydrated and take care of yourself!
There is no such thing as drinking too much water, especially in the winter. Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep your body temperature up. If you've ever had a sip of your water bottle freeze solid in your freezer during the winter, then you know how important it is to keep your water cold during the colder months.
Keep yourself warm and keep yourself hydrated — it's that simple!
Step Four: Avoid dehydration and hypothermia!
Hypothermia is a deadly condition that can cause serious disability or even death if left untreated. It happens because our body doesn't have enough heat at the right time when we sleep or when we're unconscious. When our body temperatures drop too low, we lose consciousness and can die if not treated quickly enough.
Winter is a time for warm, comfy clothes, snuggling under a blanket and sipping hot drinks. Making sure you don't overheat yourself is just as important as making sure you're not cold. Your body is most vulnerable to the effects of hypothermia while asleep or unconscious. It may be tempting to fall asleep under blankets in bed with a cup of hot chocolate on the night stand, but if you do so, it's easy to wake up too hot and overheat yourself.
Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include: feeling very cold, uncontrollable shivering and slurred speech.
There are plenty of warning signs to tell you that you're at risk of hypothermia — but what if you have a little too much cold on the brain and don't realize it? Some signs that you may be in danger of having heat exhaustion include: an elevated heart rate, a feeling of dread, weakness, confusion and dizziness. Get yourself warm, drink some water and take care of yourself!
Step Five: Don't forget about hydrographic film!
Hydrographic printing has been around for over 40 years — meaning that it's safe to say you could be using hydrographic film products without knowing much about their safety.
Hydrographic film is a thin, plastic-like material that is used in the printing of some popular products. When applied correctly, it can make glass shower doors, car windows and other surfaces look like they are made from stone or metal. Hydrographic film is commonly found on car windows and shower enclosures. It's also used on high-end restaurant tables, soda fountains and more!
Heat can damage hydrographic film products — so you may have seen it peel off after being left out in the sun for too long. The longer you leave this type of product exposed to heat without protecting it with an air conditioned environment, the more likely it is to lose its reflective properties. By protecting your hydrographic film with an air conditioned environment, you can avoid further damage caused by the sun.
Step Six: Take care of your equipment!
Keeping your heating equipment safe is important for any building owner — and it's even more important when there are children or pets around. To be safe, make sure to keep all heaters at least six inches away from walls, windows and furniture whenever the temperatures drop below freezing. It's also a good idea to keep all parts of the heater away from areas where people or animals could get close.
Household products that can be gas-operated are very dangerous if they're left on too long or in a poorly ventilated space. If you're using any of these products, make sure to avoid leaving them running when you're not home and keep them away from children and pets!
Step Seven: Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning!
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by all sorts of combustion-powered equipment like furnaces, motors and fireplaces. The easiest way to identify carbon monoxide poisoning is the "sick" feeling you get in your head or stomach when you breathe it. If this happens, then take immediate action by getting out of the room or building in which the fumes are being produced.
Conclusion
This year's widespread power outages and weather problems may have been a sign of things to come — but we won't let that stop us from having fun! We can still enjoy the outdoors and travel safely with the right gear. But, we're also going to take steps to increase our chances of staying warm and comfortable this winter.