While some people long for all the fun activities such as ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, sledding, and so on, working outdoors during winter can be very tricky. And that is not the only problem. Just like exposure to heat, exposure to cold is also harmful to your health and can, in extreme cases, lead to loss of life. Some top risks include

Hypothermia- occurs when body temperature goes down below 35 C, which happens when your body loses more heat than it can produce.

Frostbite- occurs when some parts of your body get damaged due to exposure to extreme cold. It happens mainly on the cheeks, chin, fingers, toes, nose, and ears.

Heart problems- exposure to cold increases your chances of getting a heart attack. Since your heart is working much harder to fight the cold, both your heart rate and blood pressure go up, putting your heart at risk.

You must keep warm during winter to avoid these and many more cold-related illnesses. Below are 7-useful tips for freezing temperatures you can use.

1. Keep Up with the Weather Forecast
If there is one thing you do not want is for winter to catch you unaware. You will find yourself in a lot of trouble trying to look for last-minute solutions in all directions while everybody else is busy keeping warm. By this time, anything you are trying to find will either be unavailable or too costly to get, and that is without mentioning the cold and the stress you will have to go through.

But why risk all that when all you have to do is check the weather forecast? Updates are made on a daily or weekly basis, and the info is freely accessible to everyone over the internet. If you know what to expect, you will know when and how to prepare for it.

2. Wear Warm Clothes
Another secret to surviving cold weather is to dress warmly. Wear multiple clothes inside to keep your skin as far away from the cold environment as possible. Protect your hands with insulated gloves, your head with a hat, and your legs with legwarmers. Also, remember to keep your face safe using a facemask neck tube or scarf. Anything you can find to keep you warm will come in handy.

3. Manage the Temperatures in Your Room
Managing the temperatures in your room is another ideal way to keep you safe from cold during winter. Keep your doors and windows shut to prevent cold from penetrating into your house. If there are any cracks on your walls or floor, make sure you repair them. But that alone might not be enough in extreme weather. You can also install a programmable thermostat to raise the temperatures in your room.

A programmable thermostat automatically regulates temperatures in your room depending on your settings and might be just what you need to survive the extreme cold. All you have to do is check that it is working well, and luckily Sherwood electrical will help you with that.

4. Avoid Taking Alcohol
When you are high on alcohol, your body might feel warm and sweat even when it's cold. But let not that deceive you into drinking during cold weather. That is harmful to your health. In reality, alcohol lowers your body temperatures, and the only reason you don’t notice it is that it inhibits your ability to do so. Avoid it at all costs.

5. Stay Dry
In general, staying in wet clothing is dangerous, but it's even worse when the temperatures are low. Water takes away heat from your body, and that explains why wet clothes make us feel cold. If you sweat due to physical activity, make sure you change into something dry to avoid losing body heat during cold weather.

6. Drink Warm Water and Sweet Beverages
Most people assume that dehydration can only occur during hot weather, but that’s not accurate. Dehydration can occur even in cold weather, and it's even worse then because the body consumes a lot of energy trying to fight the cold. Hydrate yourself with warm drinks and sweet beverages like sugar water to keep your body warm during this weather. And avoid tea and coffee or any other caffeinated drink for that matter, as they may increase urine production in your body and cause dehydration.

7. Watch Out for the Signs and Symptoms
You might feel like you have done everything right, but anything can happen during winter. In that case, you need to be aware of the signs of certain common illnesses to help you identify and treat them early enough before things get worse. some of these signs are

● Frostbite
Numb or tingly feeling on your skin
Red/sore skin with gray or white patches
Hardened skin

● Hypothermia
Shivering
Slow breathing
Loss of energy and Fatigue
Brain confusion
Slurred speech
In extreme cases, loss of consciousness.
Lack of balance

If you or anyone in your household is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Any delays can lead to loss of life, especially the vulnerable, i.e., the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Conclusion
If you come from one of those areas that experience winter, then you must appreciate the value of staying safe during this time. These 7-tips will help you keep warm and safe from any winter-related illnesses. But since there are so many other things you can do, you are free to try out different strategies to find the one that works best for you.