Health Guidelines for Heavy Snow Preparation in Winter

● How to stay indoors!

(1) Stay healthy with light indoor exercise, proper hydration, and meals with balanced nutrition While checking your own health condition, make sure you do not lack physical activity through light indoor exercise. Also, after going out, develop the habit of thoroughly practicing personal hygiene such as washing your hands, and if there are elderly people, children, or people with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease in the household, avoid unnecessary outings as much as possible.

• If you must go out, go with a guardian, or elderly people should use a cane.
• Drinking warm water or sweet drinks helps maintain body temperature.
• Alcohol and caffeinated drinks can cause body temperature to drop rapidly, so do not consume them.

(2) Keep the indoor temperature properly warm During sudden heavy snowfall, maintain an appropriate indoor temperature (18–20°C) with safe indoor heating, and ventilate properly by opening the windows for about 30 minutes, three times a day at intervals of 2 to 3 hours.

● How to act outdoors!

(1) Dress warmly Wear several layers of slightly loose, lightweight clothing, and be careful not to let them get wet. The outermost coat should be fastened securely so that you do not lose body heat to the wind, and clothing lined with wool, silk, or synthetic fibers rather than cotton helps maintain body temperature.

(2) Avoid strenuous exercise Sudden heavy snowfall and cold temperatures place additional strain on the heart and brain, so avoid strenuous exercise. If you must do outdoor activities, dress warmly and move slowly.

(3) Avoid outdoor activities as much as possible During sudden heavy snowfall, avoid outdoor activities as much as possible. If you must go out, keep the following in mind.

Do not go outdoors with your skin exposed to the cold.

• Prepare cold-weather clothing, a thermos, hand warmers, and extra clothes to change into.
• Wet clothing from sweat or falling snow can cause body heat to be lost rapidly, so change immediately into the dry clothes you prepared in advance.
• Slipping accidents are common on icy roads in winter, so when walking, never put your hands in your pockets and move slowly with small steps.
• If there is snow or ice on the road in front of your home, please use salt, sand, or related chemical products to help keep it safe for neighbors passing through.
• Drinking warm water or sweet drinks helps maintain body temperature.
• Alcohol and caffeinated drinks can cause body temperature to drop rapidly, so do not consume them.

(4) Precautions when traveling When traveling in winter, please keep the following points in mind and be careful.

• Check weather forecasts frequently before departure and during travel. If weather advisories such as cold waves or heavy snowfall are expected in the travel area, do not leave.
• Before departure, inspect and load winter emergency equipment and snow chains.
• Vehicle heating alone has limits in maintaining warmth, so be sure to bring extra warm clothing.
• If visibility is poor, or if roads or bridges are covered with ice or snow, avoid passing through them if possible.
• If a body part is suspected of having frostbite, soak it in warm water, but do not rub or massage the affected area.

● What to do if you become isolated in winter!

(1) If you become stranded in a heavy snow area and visibility is poor and the roads are icy, staying inside the vehicle may often be the safest option.

(2) The following methods can help keep you safe if you become stranded.

• Use the car antenna, etc. to tie on a bright-colored piece of cloth and send a rescue signal.
• Bring all necessary items from the car trunk into the passenger compartment.
• Cover your entire body, including your head, with available items such as clothing, blankets, and newspapers.
• Stay awake so that you remain less vulnerable to health problems caused by the cold.
• Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour. At this time, slightly open one window so outside air can enter the vehicle.
• Keep moving your arms and legs inside the car to improve blood circulation and keep your body warm.
• Do not eat snow that does not melt. This can lower your body temperature.
• Hugging each other to maintain body heat can also help.

So far, we have explained the health guidelines for preparing for heavy snowfall in winter. In the next installment, we will look at ways to prevent hypothermia in winter.

Source: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Health Information Portal