Coping with the Cold and Wind Chill this Winter

Last winter, Fairfax County had a record snowstorm, with many areas getting as much as three feet of snow. The storm was dubbed "Snowmageddon." And though Fairfax County has yet to see a measurable snowfall, now is the time to learn how you can stay safe in the cold weather. This year's Farmer's Almanac is predicting colder than normal temperatures in the eastern portion of the country, which could mean lots of snow and icy conditions for the Northern Virginia area. Many meteorologists predict snow before Christmas.

As most of us can remember, ice coated county streets and large snow drifts abounded last winter, making it hard for even the fittest person to maneuver.

And now is the time to prepare yourself for a snowy winter. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to stay healthy and to keep from getting injured.

Fay Ejtemai, pharmacist of KC Pharmacy in Lorton, stresses the importance of staying warm and healthy during extremely cold weather. "The things you need to keep warm the most are your head, hands and feet," Ejtemai said, adding that you should also make sure you can breathe as easily as possible. In intensely cold conditions, it can become difficult to breathe. To prepare for this, it is critical to wear proper clothing, such as hats, scarves and warm socks. Layer clothing and wear thick fabrics that lock in heat.

If you are going out in snowy and icy conditions, you should wear shoes with ribbing on the soles. People with preexisting medical conditions, such as asthma, must be especially careful. When wind chills are extreme, cold air can get into your lungs and can harm your breathing.

Before venturing out into the elements this winter, it is important to make sure you wear warm clothing and wash your hands regularly, Ejtemai said. One of the first things you should do to prepare for the winter's cold is to get a flu shot and take a lot of vitamins. Try taking Vitamin C, it helps boost the body's immune system and can keep you from developing colds and other illnesses.

Bruce McFarlane, inclusive emergency planner for the Fairfax Office of Emergency Management, recommended joining online networks that help you stay informed of the weather and other emergency events.

When temperatures dip below freezing, you should limit your travel to your job, the grocery store and places you absolutely need to be. "Wind chill can quickly cause harm," McFarlane said, stating that it is better to dress in several light layers than one heavy coat. It is a good idea to keep extra blankets in your car in the event that you get stranded on the road during a storm, McFarlane said.  

And then he chuckled. "Monday, I went out with a windbreaker and the temperature dropped 20 degrees. So on the car ride home, I could have really been in trouble."

So when it comes to staying well and warm this winter, the message is a wise one.

"Don't dress for your travel situation. Dress for the weather conditions."

December 5-11 is Winter Preparedness Week in Virginia and to mark the occasion Lorton Patch will run a week-long series of articles that provides residents with tips and resources to help cope with the cold weather.