Contributed by Lisa Pratto, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru
Snow. It looks so beautiful and serene on a moonlit night.
It brings joy to the hearts of thousands of school children wishing for a snow day. It makes Christmas mornings special.
Unfortunately, snow also spells danger for many. Here are the top ten snow safety tips.
10. Extra blankets
You never know when you could be stuck in a snow bank for hours on a cold, dark night. Be sure to pack extra blankets in your car so that you prepared in case of this dangerous emergency.
9. Sunburn
While snow is pretty, especially the way it sparkles on a sunny day, it can also cause a sunburn. Surprised? The sun can bounce of those icy, little crystals and back up onto your unprotected face, even if it’s five below. A great snow safety tip is to use a moisturizer with sunscreen of at least SPF 15 all year long.
8. Dress in layers
Not only do you need to stay warm when out in the snow, but you also need to be careful about overheating when you go back indoors. If you dress in layers, you can easily add and remove items throughout the day to ensure maximum comfort. Layers of thin, long sleeve shirts and leggings that breathe work best.
7. Rock salt
Before you grab the closest bag of rock salt and start spreading it around on your icy driveway or sidewalk, think about your four-legged friends and neighbors. As odd as it sounds, rock salt is a tasty but deadly treat for dogs. Try sand or other non-toxic solutions to protect your furry friends.
6. Go slow
A seemingly obvious snow safety tip is to take things slow. Whether you are walking through the mall parking lot or making the commute to work, go slow, watch your step and pay attention to everyone else around you. Shifting into lower gears can help while driving as well.
5. Frostbite
Depending on the temperature, frostbite can start within minutes. The skin begins to turn white as your circulation slows. The most vulnerable areas are your nose, ears, toes and fingertips. Dressing appropriately when playing in the snow as well as following your mother’s classic snow safety tip of wearing a warm winter hat, and you can look chic with a classic style, too.
4. Sledding
Every kid can’t wait to try out the new sled that Santa brought, but many injuries can occur while sledding. An often overlooked snow safety tip is to pay special attention to trees and other permanent obstacles when sledding to prevent an unwanted visit to the emergency room. Check last year’s sleds for signs of wear; purchase kids’ sleds with up-to-date safety features and that are built for the age and size of child or adult using them.
3. Bridges and overpasses
Sometimes snowfall can accumulate and it is obvious that driving conditions are treacherous. More often than not, the wind just blows around a few flurries and nothing sticks to the ground. Be aware that driving under these conditions may be even more dangerous, particularly on bridges and overpasses. In fact, the wind can be so unrelenting that it can cause icy patches that may catch drivers off guard.
2. Braking
Staying safe on snowy roads requires changing your tactics. Drivers must fight the natural urge to slam on the brakes, which will only cause the vehicle to skid or spin out of control. Gently easing the brake and steering through the sliding will help keep you safe in the snow. Of course, staying a good distance behind other cars makes this possible.
1. Shoveling
A recent study at a Canadian hospital showed that a whopping 35% of their heart attack patients started experiencing symptoms after shoveling snow. Wow. That sounds like the ultimate snow safety tip should be to stop risking your health and invest in a snow blower.