How to stay healthy when the weather outside is frightful

Freezing temps, slippery roads, holiday hazards—do you know how to keep your family safe and healthy this winter? 

1. Which wintry forecast is the most dangerous to drive in?

( a) 32 degrees, clear skies ( b) 18 degrees, snow ( c) 35 degrees, rain  

Answer: (c). Studies show that while 24 percent of all auto accidents are the result of adverse weather conditions, most occur on wet—not icy—pavement. The reason: Drivers are more likely to proceed slowly and carefully when ice and snow are on the ground, but they don’t take the same precautions during rain.


2. Your neighborhood pond has frozen over. How thick should the ice be before you break out the skates? 

( a) Two inches ( b) Five inches ( c) 12 inches

Answer: (b). Four to five inches of ice can hold up to 250 pounds of weight, but make sure the ice is blue or clear. Gray, white, or opaque ice indicates a weak crystal structure and should be avoided.



3. Your husband just came in from shoveling snow. He can’t stop shivering and his speech is slowed. What should you do? 

( a) Give him a hot beverage (like coffee) to warm him up ( b) Start rubbing his arms and legs to increase circulation ( c) Dress him in dry clothing and wrap him in a blanket 

Answer: (c). Caffeine can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects of cold on the body. And stimulating the limbs before the trunk can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure.

It’s better to wrap him up and immediately call for medical assistance.   

4. Which accessory is most important to wear when out playing in the snow? 

( a) Earmuffs ( b) Thick, woolly socks ( c) Sunglasses

Answer: (c). On sunny, wintry days, snow can reflect 80 percent of all UV rays (dry beach sand, by comparison, reflects only 15 percent). That intense exposure can cause photokeratitis, or snow blindness, a temporary condition that creates extreme sensitivity to light and increases the risk of sun related eye disorders later in life.


5. You’re heading down the slope on your family ski trip when you begin to fall. You should: 

( a) Brace yourself ( b) Go limp 

Answer: (a). Stiffening your muscles actually helps absorb the shock of an impact, taking weight off of weaker structures, according to a study from the University of Michigan.


6. How often should you replace your Christmas tree lights? 

( a) Every year ( b) Every three years ( c) Every 10 years 

Answer: (b). “After about three years, Christmas lights wear out, which means they’re more likely to short and cause electrical fires,” says Nancy Harvey Steorts, author of Your Home Safe Home. Another smart rule: Never attach more than three strings of lights to an extension cord.


7. You’ve taken your dog for a walk in a winter wonderland. 

What’s the first thing you should do when you return home? 

( a) Wipe her paws with a damp cloth ( b) Rub her with a towel or blanket to warm her up ( c) Give her a drink of water 

Answer: (a). “In cold weather, pets may track through ice-melting chemicals and rock salt, which can cause cuts on their pads and be hazardous if ingested,” says veterinarian Jules Benson, vice president of veterinary services for Petplan pet insurance. So give your pup’s paws a quick bath before she gets a chance to lick them clean.   


8. True or false: Artificial gas-log fireplaces are typically safer than wood burning fireplaces.

Answer: True. Several studies have found that natural wood smoke contains at least five known human carcinogens. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you can make it less harmful by burning hardwood, such as ash or beech, which emits lower levels of damaging particles compared with softwood like pine.

Reference: Colleen Oakley ~ Grand Rapids Press Parade

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