Safety tips for getting out in the cold weather

JACKSON, Tenn. — Are you preparing to spend this winter day outside?

Matt Jones, the EMS Division Chief with the Jackson Fire Department, shared tips to keep you and your loved ones safe in the weather.

“If you start feeling the tingling of your skin, your fingertips start going numb, your ear lobes, those things are the most exposed that people may cover up briefly and then they open it right back up. And then they get that frostbite set and or that hypothermia,” Jones said.

Chief Jones shared that if you are outside make sure you are layered up. Start with a really good base layer and then continue to build from there.

This can include multiple jackets, gloves, a scarf, and a hat. Ensure that you do not have exposed skin.

But don’t forget the importance of the shoes you choose to battle the snow in.

Injuries from falls are a big thing as well. Anything, any kind of shoe that you’re wearing, you need to be cautious of the underlying ice from my snowmelt or if you’re crossing the road or the street or anything like that.

You have to keep in mind that there’s ice underneath the snow.

Another word of caution comes from something we are used to doing with most interactive activities.

“When you start sweating, you start losing heat at that point from your body. And everything may be fine until you stop playing and you stop for a little bit then you like really cold. That’s where hypothermia starts. So again, you need to get an indoor environment in the heat, warm yourself back up and stay hydrated,” Jones said.

Chief Jones stressed the importance of taking breaks from the weather, saying 10 minutes or less is a good stopping point to head back inside to get warm.

Again, if you or someone you know needs a safe place to stay warm, you can look up the nearest warming center.

See closings for schools and business.

Also, go on a drive with us around Jackson here.

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