Safety office offers winter weather tips Published Dec. 3, 2015 By Steve Serrette 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The winter season is upon us and with it sometimes comes the beauty of freshly fallen snow, icicles glistening in the sun, along with other marvelous outdoor scenes. As pleasant as these thoughts are, reality forces us to deal with the not-so-pleasant aspects of winter such as extreme temperatures, wind chills, snow shoveling, vehicle operations in winter weather and home fire safety. Winter weather can produce life-threatening situations catching the unprepared traveler, worker or family off guard. Here is a brief summary of winter safety concerns and what we can do to protect ourselves. Dressing for cold weather: · Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, dry clothing · Wear mittens instead of gloves -- and a hat. Half of body heat loss comes from the head · Remember that entrapped, insulated air warmed by body heat is the best protection from the cold · Remember that frostbite and hypothermia are caused from overexposure to extreme cold temperatures Wind chill index: The wind chill is the "perceived" temperature to the human body, based on both air temperature and wind velocity On a cold windy day, your body loses more heat than it does on a cold, still day. Heat is literally blown away from your body, causing you to feel colder Clearing snow and ice: · Don't eat a large meal, drink alcohol or smoke just prior to shoveling snow and ice · Dress warmly, paying special attention to feet, hands, nose and ears · Avoid overexertion. If you have a history of heart trouble, hypertension or are out of shape, do not shovel snow and ice unless your doctor says it's OK · Watch your step. Slips and falls are all too common on ice and can cause serious injury · Push snow out of the path instead of lifting it · If you have to lift snow in the shovel, remember to lift with your legs instead of your back Driving safely in winter weather: · Before winter arrives, ensure your car is in good mechanical condition · Keep emergency gear (an ice scraper, small shovel, flashlight, jumper cables, blankets and kitty litter) in your car for everyday trips · Keep your fuel tank full · Know what to do if you become stranded · Slow down on ice and snow, don't drive unless you have to · Don't be a "peephole" driver! Clear all windows before driving off Home fire safety: · Use fuel heaters and electric heating appliances equipped with an automatic shut-off according to the manufacturer's safety recommendations -- leave at least 36 inches of space around the unit · Ensure that chimneys, exhaust flues and heating equipment are clear of obstructions and are operational · Heat lamps and candles should only be used under responsible adult supervised conditions and not around combustibles · Don't leave children and pets unattended around flames and electrical devices capable of producing fires · Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home · Keep properly charged fire extinguishers handy and know how to use them · Keep flashlights and new batteries handy · Have an emergency evacuation plan in place and practice it with your family · Fire can be a killer that will sneak up on the unprepared family with devastating results. Don't be a victim. Have a safe and fun winter season. Just by using Risk Management, good common sense practices, following safe operating instructions, and focusing on our Quest for Zero goals we can reduce our risks of injury and illness when dealing with winter's cold weather.