Category: Weather Disasters and Health

Benefits of Wearing A Fleece Scarf in Winter Weather

January 21, 2025

A Simple Way To Prevent A Winter Cold

Wearing a scarf over your nose, mouth, neck and chest is a simple way to avoid health problems during extreme winter weather.

Freezing temperature occurs when the thermometer falls below 32 degrees F. Cold weather is considered dangerous because it is a risk for hypothermia, frostbite, heart attack and stroke. Cold air can also irritate the linings of your airway and lungs.

Benefits of Wearing A Scarf During Winter

  • Protects your neck and chest area
  • Prevents against catching a cold
  • Provides warm, moist air for your lungs

Fleece Scarf Benefits

Fleece is a synthetic fabric usually made from polyester. Polar Fleece is the warmest type of fleece fabric. Microfleece is lighter weight.

  • Provides excellent to good insulation against cold weather
  • Quick-drying and moisture resistant
  • Breathable and lightweight
  • Traps body heat
  • Washable
  • Vegan

Read more about fleece here: Are There Different Types of Fleece The Complete Guide To Fleece.

Layering for Cold Weather: Importance of Thermal Underwear

January 17, 2025

Aging and Cold Weather

Aging can cause your body to lose heat. One way to prevent heart loss is to layer your clothing and dress appropriately for the outdoor temperature.

Simple Solution to Staying Warm During Cold Weather

Thermal underwear, also known as Long Johns, keeps you warm by trapping body heat and wicking away moisture. Wearing thermal underwear helps to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Importantly, you can go outside without getting the shivers.

How To Buy Thermal Underwear

Take a quick visit to Amazon. You’ll find a wide selection of thermal underwear for men and women either sold in sets or separates, at various prices.

To help you understand product features, read product reviews, such as this one from Good Housekeeping, The Best Thermal Underwear To Keep You Warm, Tested and Reviewed.

Importance of Wearing Layers of Clothing

Thermal underwear is your foundational garment. Begin layering your clothing over your thermals with either a fleece sweatshirt or wool sweater. Your third layer is an insulated coat or jacket. Layering keeps you warmer by trapping warm air between the layers. Protect your neck by wearing a neck warmer or scarf.

Read more about the dangers of extreme cold on the aging body at AARP.com.

Understanding Frostbite: Causes and Prevention

January 16, 2025

What Is Frostbite?

The air temperature can fall below the freezing point of water at 32 degrees F. When this happens, the skin is susceptible to skin damage known as frostbite. Frostbite can lead to permanent damage.

What Body Parts Are Affected By Frostbite?

  • Hand and fingers
  • Face and nose
  • Feet and toes
  • Ears

Warning Signs of Frostbite

  • Stage One: the skin turns red to purple or lighter than your normal skin tone.
  • Stage Two: the skin may sting, swell, peel or blister. Medical attention may be needed.
  • Stage Three: the skin may turn black, or form blisters. It might be difficult to move the affected area. Stage Three requires immediate medical attention.

How To Prevent Frostbite

  • Avoid going outside, if possible.
  • Avoid long exposure to freezing temperatures.
  • Dress for the weather by wearing warm clothing including a hat, gloves, and thermal underclothing.
  • Cover nose and mouth with a warm scarf.

Stay Safe: Tips for Dealing with Wind Chill and Cold Weather

January 14, 2025

Wind chill makes the outdoor temperature feel colder and more dangerous unless you’re prepared. The definition of wind chill is how cold the temperature feels when the wind speed is factored in.

For example, if the outdoor temperature is 31 degrees F and the wind speed is 12 mph, the temperature will feel like 21.5 degrees F.

Knowing the wind chill is also important for the safety of your dog.

Before heading out for winter activities check the temperature and the wind chill. Use the link below to access a free and easy online wind chill converter.

National Weather Service Wind Chill Calculator www.weather.gov

How Extreme Heat and Humidity Affect Your Health

July 9, 2024

This is a recent Health and Wellness article and video from the Mayo Clinic. Learn how exposure to high heat and humidity can lead to serious medical problems, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

“Many parts of the U.S. continue to grapple with oppressive heat and humidity. This can prevent the body from cooling down, increasing the risk of heat cramps, exhaustion and heatstroke. Dr. Jesse Bracamonte, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, says the extreme heat and high humidity can be a dangerous mix”. Read the full article and watch the video here.

Hand Powered Appliances: Get Off The Grid And Get Some Exercise

November 11, 2012

Instead of using a noisy leaf blower, rake leaves manually. You’ll feel better getting exercise.

Power outages are not much fun.  Keeping body and soul alive during a time when you have no lights, no fridge, no phone, no heat or hot water, takes it toll on your emotional and physical well-being.

During Hurricane Sandy, there were parts of New York City that had no cell phone service.

For sure, there will be a next time when the power goes out. You can start getting off the grid, by making lifestyle changes in the everyday products you use.

In addition to saving you money, manually powered appliances give you more exercise.  Continue reading “Hand Powered Appliances: Get Off The Grid And Get Some Exercise”