{"id":8893,"date":"2021-01-14T14:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T20:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/admissions\/?p=8893"},"modified":"2021-01-14T12:52:01","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T18:52:01","slug":"tips-for-staying-safe-in-cold-weather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/admissions\/2021\/01\/14\/tips-for-staying-safe-in-cold-weather\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Staying Safe in Cold Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sign up for Griffon Alert<\/a> to be apprised of inclement weather conditions.\u00a0 大象传媒 Western values the safety of all of its students.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Check the weather<\/b><\/h3>\n

Winter in St. Joseph can bring any number of weather surprises, from freezing rain to sleet to snow. Any form of winter precipitation can lead to slick roads and dangerous driving conditions. If there is precipitation at all and you need to go outside, protect yourself with waterproof boots and a waterproof or water-resistant coat, as well as mittens, a hat, and a scarf.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that you also pay attention to the wind chill, which is how cold it actually feels. Wind chill temperatures are generally lower than the actual air temperature because blowing wind makes you feel colder. It is sometimes referred to as the \u201creal feel\u201d or \u201cfeels like\u201d temperature. If you check the weather and it says that it is 40\u00b0 F, but the wind chill is 25\u00b0 F, dress for the colder weather and be sure to wear a wind-resistant coat!<\/p>\n

Beware of ice<\/b><\/h3>\n

It just takes one wrong step on the ice to fall down and injure yourself. Take care when walking on the ice, though you should avoid it if possible. Snow provides more traction, though if you don\u2019t know how deep the snow is, it can be a hazard on its own. If you live in an apartment or home with a personal outdoor staircase or walkway, you may be responsible for salting or adding traction (with sand or cat litter) to sidewalks to prevent slippage.<\/p>\n

Wear multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Instead of wearing one long-sleeved tee shirt and a pair of jeans, try a tank or undershirt, a sweater, and a jacket over that, and wear tall socks or long underwear under your jeans. If you\u2019re dead set on wearing leggings, try a pair of long underwear instead; there are many cold weather options that are still stylish. Layers, though, are your best bet in the winter; they trap warm air between them, thereby keeping you warmer for longer. Make sure you also are wearing the proper footwear. Insulated and waterproof boots, not thin Converse-esque shoes or open-toed heels, are going to keep you warmest in the winter. If it\u2019s snowing or precipitating in any way, wear a waterproof jacket on top of everything else. Being wet and cold is not only miserable, but can lead to hypothermia and frostbite.<\/p>\n

Stay hydrated<\/b><\/h3>\n

Staying hydrated is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer, especially if you participate in winter sports (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc.). Though you may not feel like you\u2019re sweating, you still lose water when you physically exert yourself (sweat just skips the liquid stage and goes straight into water vapor), and you could end up dehydrated if you don\u2019t replenish your fluids.<\/p>\n

Staying hydrated can actually keep you warmer, too. If you are well hydrated, your blood is taking up more volume in your body. The more blood you have, the longer it will take to cool. Hydration, then, may help prevent frostbite.<\/p>\n

Wear sunglasses<\/b><\/h3>\n

The sun may not be as warm or long-lasting as it is in the summer, but it\u2019s rays are just as harmful to your eyes (and skin) in the winter. While this is especially important if there is snow or ice on the ground (the white reflects a large portion of the rays back up to eye level), it\u2019s important on any clear day that you plan to spend time outside. If you plan on skiing, sledding, or otherwise participating in winter sports, beware of snow blindness. This painful condition occurs when your corneas get sunburned after exposure to the sun\u2019s rays or their reflection. Save yourself the suffering and invest in a good pair of sunglasses or ski goggles.<\/p>\n

Learn how to drive in the snow<\/b><\/h3>\n

You won\u2019t learn how to drive in winter conditions overnight and you won\u2019t really<\/i> learn until you\u2019ve done it more than once, but you should learn the basics of winter driving ahead of time so that you don\u2019t get caught in a storm without knowing what to do. It\u2019s important to keep your car in top shape for winter driving: properly inflated tires, a full tank of gas (to prevent water vapor in your gas line from freezing), and functioning lights and windshield wipers.<\/p>\n

When you need to go out, practice cautious, slow driving. Speeding up and slowing down abruptly can lead to skidding and will take longer in wet, snowy conditions than on a normal day. For that reason, you should keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you and start slowing down well in advance of stop signs or traffic lights; you don\u2019t want to end up rear-ending anyone just because you were in a hurry. Hills, also, can be tricky in the snow. You don\u2019t want to stop while you\u2019re on a hill, because slick conditions can lead to you sliding one way or another. You also don\u2019t want to go too quickly; you might lose traction on your way up the hill if you hit the gas, and you don\u2019t know what conditions await on the downslope. Always drive with your lights on in snowy, rainy, or stormy conditions, regardless of the time of day.<\/p>\n

Protect your head and extremities<\/b><\/h3>\n

You lose a lot of heat through your head and mouth, so wear a hat and cover up your face with a scarf. That being said, noses, ears, fingers, and toes are also particularly prone to frostbite in cold weather. Wear wool socks and waterproof, wool- or synthetic-lined boots. Mittens are warmer than gloves, and a hat that covers your ears is going to keep you warmer than a pair of earmuffs.<\/p>\n

Watch for <\/b>hypothermia<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Hypothermia occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to cold temperatures or when a person is exposed to or immersed in frigid water. While the body\u2019s core temperature is normally held constant around 98.6\u00b0 F, people with hypothermia have a core temperature of 95\u00b0 F or less.<\/p>\n