The cold weather packs a punch across the country every year, and the winter of 2019-2020 is no different. With winter storms and blizzards that hit portions of the United States before Thanksgiving, as well as extreme temperature drops recently in the Northeast, many people will run the risk of power outages and dangerous driving conditions at some point this year.
Cold Weather Safety Tips
Be prepared when driving
Is your car ready for ice, snow, and cold? First, check to make sure that you have a full gas tank at all times. Then, check the fluids in your car. Do you have an adequate level of windshield wiper fluid? Are you due for an oil change? Is there any routine maintenance that you need to address? Is it time to replace your regular tires with snow tires?
Finally, for cold weather safety, consider what you would need if you break down or run out of gas during a winter storm. Blankets, extra warm clothes, water bottles, and snacks are excellent supplies to have on hand for a worst-case scenario.
Have Backup in Your Home
If you lose your heat in the middle of winter, it won’t take long for your home to feel like an icebox! And if the power goes out from a snowstorm or blizzard, it might be impossible to get yourself to a warm building or neighbor’s home immediately. With impassable roads and snowdrifts, you may need to deal with the cold temperatures in your dwelling until power is restored or you can travel safely to an alternate location.
Safety Tips for Winter Season
In this case, consider backup sources of heat as a safety tip for the winter season. This may include a gas, propane, or solar-powered generator. For some families, a log-burning fireplace may be an option. Some generators are portable (so you can move them to the location where you need the energy source the most), while others are permanent. Permanent generators are generally larger, and while pricey, they can potentially provide power for several rooms – or even your entire home. No matter what kind of power and/or heat source you select, be sure that whenever you operate these devices you have plenty of proper ventilation and follow the owner’s manual for safe use.
Keep your body covered
With snow and cold comes outdoor sports like sledding, tubing, skating, and skiing. But exposed skin doesn’t take long to suffer. In just minutes, it is possible for frostbite to set in, depending on the temperatures. Therefore, to keep yourself (and your skin) safe, wear hats, gloves, jackets, and snow pants. Also, keep your face covered at all times. Outdoor companies like L.L. Bean and R.E.I. make face masks that will protect your face from even the harshest elements. Heated boots and/or disposable hand warmers can also keep your extremities warm and dry.
Focus on the type of clothing you wear in the cold, too. For many outdoor sports, you’ll want to invest in moisture-wicking clothes and socks. In the event that you begin sweating from exercise, you will want that moisture wicked away from your skin to prevent a chill. Waterproof and windproof jackets and pants are another easy way to protect yourself from the elements – and keep your body warm at all times. Finally, good, old-fashioned layers can keep you warm, too.
Enjoy the outdoors safely
Even if you keep yourself completely bundled up, don’t engage in outdoor activities or winter trips alone. No matter what activity you engage in, stick with friends. In the event that something happens to you, your friend(s) can still run for help.
Too many people have lost their lives in places that are inherently dangerous for winter sports. For instance, if you’re skiing or snowboarding, stick to groomed trails that are open. While backwoods, off-trail skiing and boarding can be exciting and fun, there’s a reason (such as being an avalanche-prone area, an area with crevasses, etc.) that a resort closes off certain trails and parts of the mountain. And if you choose to ice skate on a lake, be sure the ice is thick – and completely frozen through.
For true cold weather safety and peace of mind, use Silent Beacon as your one-button push to safety in extreme weather.
Whether at home or outdoors, Silent Beacon is your one-button push to ensure cold weather safety in extreme winter conditions. With one touch of the Silent Beacon panic button, help is on the way. Pair the Silent Beacon personal safety device with the free app, and you can alert your preset contact list through email, text, and/or phone call.
Simply press the button on the device to activate the alert, and the GPS technology will allow first responders to immediately pinpoint your real time location. And with the two-way communication feature, you’re never alone. Because this enables you to speak to your primary contact the entire time. If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t want others around you to know that you activated the alert, the silent mode will allow you to call for help without making a sound.
At $99, and with no mandatory subscriptions, setup fees, and cancellation charges, Silent Beacon is the affordable option to ensure your safety this winter.
Enjoy the cold!
Follow these winter weather safety tips, and you’ll be sure to enjoy the cold in a fun, responsible way. And remember that Silent Beacon is the personal safety device that can save your life in cold weather emergencies, so purchase yours today at https://silentbeacon.com/.
