Safety Tips for Outdoor Activities in the Winter

Winter comes with some of the most fun snow and ice activities, but also with its fair share of dangers. Stay aware of how you can be safe while maximizing fun.

The weather outside is finally cooling down, which means that it’s nearly time for your favorite winter sports, hobbies, and activities. Whether you’re planning on hunting or snowmobiling, it’s important that you stay safe while in the cold, snowy weather. These quick and easy safety tips for outdoor activities in the winter will keep you healthy and warm while you enjoy the upcoming late fall and winter weather.

Inspect Your Equipment Before Using It

There’s still time before you can officially break out the skis or snowmobiles—make the most of it by performing a quick inspection of your equipment. Broken equipment can lead to unsafe conditions, and since snow is a temporary element of winter, you’ll want to be able to use your equipment as spontaneously as possible. Fixing or replacing equipment now before the winter rush will ensure you will be able to participate in your favorite winter activities without endangering yourself.

A snowmobile requires similar maintenance to a car and will require that you check its fluids, track, and battery. If there was any gas left when you stored it away for the summer, you should drain and replace it.

Dress Warmly

Staying warm in the winter is essential for your safety and survival if you experience a worst-case scenario. Picking high-quality outerwear for your favorite activities and the harshest weather can make a difference when it comes to how long you can stay outside and how safe you are while in the cold. Make sure that you have warm waterproof outer layers for activities that will cover you in snow. Once snow melts on your clothes and makes them wet, your health is in danger of the freezing temperatures. For hunting, make sure that you are visible to other hunters and that you follow Ohio state guidelines for hunting clothing. Also, never obscure your hunter’s orange with other outerwear.

Recognize Frostbite Before It Happens

When the weather drops below freezing, you need to consider the dangers of frostbite. If you’re exposed to intense cold for too long, your skin may start to hurt or turn red if unprotected. As soon as you notice any of the early signs of frostbite—it’s time to go indoors. Early signs of frostbite include:

Beyond the early stages, frostbite will begin to discolor skin to look sickly white or gray. It will also make your skin around the afflicted area harden and blister if severe enough. Severe frostbite can result in the appendage needing to be amputated, making it important to know when to go inside to get warm.

Keep your body completely covered with warm clothes and accessories in extreme cold, even if you’re active. You may not notice frostbite happening, but another person can notice it first if they’re aware. Frostbite is more likely to happen on areas of the body that don’t circulate blood as well, like fingers and toes. Stay aware of the most essential safety tips for outdoor activities in the winter, and always watch the weather carefully.

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