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Health Unit offers tips for outdoor winter activity

January 22, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

It can be tempting to stay indoors when it gets cold. However, winter is great for outdoor activities such as skating, hiking, and sledding. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is offering tips and reminders to help you get outside, get active, and stay safe during the winter months.

Being physically active outdoors is good for your overall health as it helps keep the body strong and improves mental well-being.

Being active outdoors can be as simple as going for a walk around your neighbourhood or as action-packed as lacing up a pair of skates and going to the rink to play hockey.

If you play pond hockey, remember to always be aware of the thickness of ice on open water to ensure it is enough to support your weight.

The cold winter weather can pose health and safety risks during outdoor activities.

Snow, ice, and exposure to cold and extremely cold temperatures can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening health problems. It is important to know the weather conditions before heading outdoors so you can plan accordingly.

When outdoors in winter weather, stay alert and watch for signs of hypothermia, frostbite, and frostnip. Consider shortening children’s time outdoors when temperatures or windchill are below -20C, and consider keeping them indoors if temperatures or windchill are below -27C.

Dressing for the weather helps to preserve body heat and should include a base layer, a fleece or wool sweater mid-layer, and a wind and waterproof jacket. Wear a hat, gloves or mittens, and a scarf to cover exposed skin.

Winter boots are not just for keeping your feet warm and dry – a fitted boot with a good tread also offers stability and can help prevent slips and falls on ice or in slushy and snowy conditions.

As COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viruses continue to circulate in the region, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit would like to remind residents to practice the standard measures to protect yourself and others from contracting a virus.

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