The Biggest Hazards To Watch Out for in Winter

Wintertime is a big, beautiful, and lovely season—but it’s also fraught with peril. Alongside all that nice fluffy snow and hot cocoa-enjoying weather come risks to life and limb. Keep your wintertime fun by being aware of the biggest hazards to watch out for in winter.
Hypothermia
When the temperatures dip, it’s time to bundle up. If you don’t, one risks developing hypothermia. Hypothermia happens when your body's internal temperature drops below 95 degrees. Hypothermia can creep up on you, starting out with simple shivering and lowered circulation before entering the advanced stages. If this happens, a person’s pulse can slow down, and they’ll begin to appear uncoordinated, annoyed, confused, and tired. Avoid hypothermia by not staying outside for too long, wearing warm and dry clothes, and heading indoors to a pleasant heat source before it sets in.
Frostbite
Jack Frost is nipping at your nose. While this is a charming image, it’s also a sign that it’s time to go back inside to avoid frostbite. Frostbite happens when your skin freezes to a dangerous point. It often starts in the extremities, namely your fingers and toes, where blood flow is less pronounced, but it can afflict any exposed skin. Frostbite first manifests itself as a stinging or burning sensation. If left untreated, it can redden the skin, cause blisters, and essentially “kill” the area, leaving blackened marks and potentially leading to amputation. Fight frostbite by dressing warmly and make a point of moving and keeping your blood flowing while outdoors in wintry weather.
Ice
Unless you’re a skater, ice is rarely anyone’s friend during the winter month. Slipping and falling on ice can lead to many kinds of injuries. Ice creates one of the biggest winter hazards on the road as well, potentially causing accidents and collisions when cars lose their grip on the road. Whether you’re walking or driving, slow down and look for ice. Walking penguin-style in particularly icy places is good practice, taking smaller steps and putting your center of gravity directly below you. In icy weather, never trust any space that looks clear. It could be black ice—a thin sheathe of ice that will trip you up before you know it.
CO Poisoning
One of the biggest hazards to watch out for in winter most often happens indoors. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an ongoing problem. Naturally, cars and other gas-burning vehicles produce CO, so if your car breaks down and gets trapped in the snow, keep your exhaust pipe clear of snow while you await help, otherwise CO can creep into the cabin. Never run a car or truck in a garage since the CO can come into the house. Clean out any fireplaces at least once a year and have your furnace regularly inspected and cleaned as well. Finally, add CO detectors around your home that can alert you to CO buildup as well.