A Safety Message

Here are some reminders about dressing for the weather and staying safe this winter.

Frostbite and hypothermia.
- Hypothermia is a potentially fatal condition caused by loss of body temperature
- Exposed skin can start to freeze at just 28 degrees
- Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, confusion, lightheadedness, and profuse sweating •

Dress in layers
- Layers of lightweight clothing keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothes
- Remove layers as necessary to prevent overheating
- Wet clothing is 20 times less warm than dry clothing
- Wear a hat to prevent heat loss from the top of your head and to protect your ears
- Wear gloves that are warm enough to prevent frostbite but thin enough you can feel what you are doing

Eye Protection
- Keep your safety eyewear from fogging up in the cold by using anti-fog coatings and wipes

Footwear
- Look at the soles of your footwear. Your boots should have adequate tread to prevent slips and falls on wet and icy surfaces
- Be especially careful on ladders, platforms, and stairways

Eat up!
- Eat enough calories and nutrients to give you the fuel you need and always start with a healthy breakfast

Rest
- Get plenty of rest. Working in the cold and even traveling to and from work in the winter takes lots of energy.

Drive with caution
- Most injuries and deaths in the winter occur in a vehicle
- Carry blankets, matches, candles, a snow shovel, sandbags, flashlight, and non-perishable food in case a winter storm strands you in your vehicle Stay Safe! James Froehlich, Superintendent / Safety