Winter. The name conjures up images of snow-covered trees, our favorite holidays, and crackling fireplaces. It brings forth the annual challenge of trying to find room in my closet for all the thick winter wear that I had packed away all summer. It also means having to hold my breath to face the colder air as I step out of my hot shower while simultaneously attempting to surpass my previous speed records wrapping myself in the most massive towel I can find.

But with the cooler and shorter days comes a change in our activities and lifestyle in many cases. We must begin thinking about preparing ourselves to face the lower digit temperatures. Here is a practical checklist to keep ourselves, our families, and our homes safe.

Stay warm. Although this is fairly obvious because if we’re not warm enough, our bodies will be happy to let us know. But here’s something most people don’t realize. Hypothermia is a big word that describes what happens when our body temperatures get abnormally low. If it gets even as low as 94˚F (34.4 ˚C) problems can arise. Liver and kidney problems, as well as heart attacks, are only a few of the resulting conditions that can be exacerbated by hypothermia. The National Council on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults explains more about the condition and the first signs to watch out for:

“Early signs of hypothermia:

• Cold feet and hands
• Puffy or swollen face
• Pale skin
• Shivering (in some cases the person with hypothermia does not shiver)
• Slower than normal speech or slurring words
• Acting sleepy
• Being angry or confused

Later signs of hypothermia:

• Moving slowly, trouble walking, or being clumsy
• Stiff and jerky arm or leg movements
• Slow heartbeat
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Blacking out or losing consciousness”

Bundle up outside, and even inside, temperatures shouldn’t be any lower than around 68 ˚- 70 ˚F (20 ˚- 21.1 ˚C). If saving on gas or electricity is a factor, close off unused rooms and assure that windows are well-sealed. If saving money on heat is going to create an unsafe cold environment, consider contacting the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) toll-free at 1-866-674-6327. This is a free service that can refer programs that assist paying energy bills for qualified low-income families.

Heating. On the flip side of the same coin, don’t overheat the home or office, as that can cause a whole other list of ailments. Wear layers of clothing even indoors that can be peeled off or added as needed. The dry heat that comes with our indoor heating systems can cause dry, cracked lips, dry mouth, itchy flaky skin, dehydration, breathing difficulties, and many other biological maladies. Many people turn to humidifiers to help. Space and other portable heaters can help take the extra chill off, but there are safety precautions which must be adhered to. This is when you want to spend a little extra money to get quality. For example, they should be well footed and bottom-heavy so as not to tumble over or have auto shut-off capabilities if they do. Health in Aging https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/winter-safety-tips-older-adults also talks about fire safety and watching out for the silent killer, carbon monoxide, produced from several indoor heating systems:

“During the winter months, it is common to use the fireplace or other heating sources, such as natural gas, kerosene, and other fuels. Unless fireplaces, wood and gas stoves, and gas appliances are properly vented, cleaned, and used, they can leak dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide—a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. These and other appliances, such as space heaters, can also be fire hazards.

Warning Signs:
• Headache
• Weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

Precautions to Take:
• Call an inspector to have your chimneys and flues inspected – preferred annually.
• Open a window (when using a kerosene stove) – just a crack will do.
• Place smoke detectors and battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in strategic places – especially in areas where you use fireplaces, wood stoves, or kerosene heaters.
• Make sure space heaters are at least 3 feet away from anything that might catch fire, such as curtains, bedding, and furniture.
• Never try to heat your home using a gas stove, charcoal grill, or other stoves not made for home heating.”

Carbon Monoxide detectors are a must and easily plug into a wall outlet. They are relatively inexpensive and will detect abnormal carbon monoxide levels in the air and produce an alarm, much like a smoke detector. They can be found at any hardware store and major online retailers.

Although winter brings with it a change of scenery, layers of a seasonal wardrobe, a new roster of activities, and a slew of holidays with a festive spirit that we look forward to, making sure we get ourselves and our homes safely ready is paramount.