It's wonderful that snow has finally fallen.
We, like the rest of the country, now keep an eye on the sky for the next few flurries, go out for extra food to stock up on in case of more inclement weather, and, for the little ones, save carrots in our pockets in case the need to make a snow person overcomes us.
For most folks, it's the same old, same old: the commute, the coffee stop on the way to work, the same tedious meetings, the same mundane labor. Snow brings about change, newness, and a new perspective on everything around us. Travel is hampered, meetings are canceled, and schools are forced to close early.
This break from everyday work cleanses our jaded thoughts by allowing us to perceive the world in a new light. This break from the usual allows us to develop our creativity, which other things may sometimes interfere with, and therefore our work benefits when we return to it. And, maybe most crucially, snow brings out our inner kid.
However, the winter weather also includes freezing rain, sleet, heavy snowfall, ice, and strong winds. These storms can impair transportation, heating, electricity, and communication. The winters are getting warmer and shorter because of climate change. However, because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, heavier snowfalls are more likely to occur.
On top of preparing your home and car for winter weather, there are steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe and healthy when it’s very cold. Here are a few tips to stick by over the next two weeks or so.
Hypothermia occurs when your body begins to lose heat quicker than it can create it. Make sure that any children under the age of 1 are sleeping in warm rooms, ideally between 68 and 72 degrees.
Similarly, if you have friends or neighbors over the age of 65, check on them periodically to ensure that their houses are appropriately heated.
If possible, avoid driving on icy roads. If you are trapped outside and have a vehicle, the National Weather Service recommends staying inside to avoid hypothermia.
If you have to shovel snow or do other outside activities, take your time and work gently. Avoid walking on ice and getting soaked.
When partaking in outdoor activities such as skiing, sledding, or going for a run, travel in pairs and carry an emergency kit and a cell phone.
Dress in warm, dry layers, paying specific attention to the more sensitive parts such as your ears, nose, cheeks, toes, and fingers.
These are the regions where frostbite is more likely to occur. Frostbite occurs when your blood vessels constrict, your skin temperature decreases, and ice crystals develop around and within your cells, causing damage. White or grayish-yellow skin that feels unnaturally hard and tingling in the afflicted region are symptoms.
Winter is here, and these fun things to do in the snow will come in handy for playing outside.
Go sledding, build a snowman, and have a snowball fight, but most importantly, stay safe and prepared while the snow and ice are here!
