An Elgin winter can be much colder than many other areas of the United States. That’s partially due to lake effect. Lake effect occurs when cold air moves over a warm body of water. Water vapor begins to rise, and finally freezes. Then, its sent back down wind. Lake effect and the local wind chill factor can make Chicago winters tough to handle. Between heavy snows and extreme cold, winters can turn dangerous.
However, the winters are not always miserable. There are many ways to truly enjoy and ensure your safety in cold conditions. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys want to help ensure your personal safety during this Chicago winter.
Ways to Prepare for a Chicago Winter
Many people tend to stay indoors through the winter. That will definitely leave you feeling a bit cooped up and stir-crazy. Try to go outside when the weather isn’t too cold, like on partly sunny days. No sunny days in the forecast? Consider investing in a light box and a bottle of vitamin D. These can help your body reap the same benefits it does when in sunlight.
Preparing for Winter Weather
You must prepare your home for an Elgin winter. Ready your heating system in early fall before the winter chill begins to hit. You don’t want to wait on a repairman in the middle of a freezing cold winter day in the house, with no heat. Make sure you have an emergency kit that’s easily accessible in case the power goes out.
A Cold Weather Emergency Kit should include:
- Several blankets,
- Flashlights,
- First aid kit and extra medications,
- Extra charger for your phone and spare batteries,
- Emergency weather radio,
- Drinking water,
- Non-perishable food that doesn’t need to be cooked,
In the event your heat stops working or power outage, you can go to a city warming center. There are several located in Chicago, and are currently open 24 hours a day.
Take Short Trips Outside
Break up your tasks into incremental trips, if you plan to take a trip outside. Try to cut the amount of time you’ll be spending outdoors. Instead of doing all your errands in one specific day, try to do one or two throughout the entire week. If outside for a long time due to work, try to take frequent breaks indoors to help your extremities.
Layer Your Clothing
Wear several layers instead of just one big, insulated jacket. No matter how insulated your jackets are, Chicago wind will cut right through it. When the wind gets through to your last under layer, it will essentially turn you into a walking Popsicle. Dress not just for the cold, but also the wind. Wearing multiple layers of loose clothing will prevent the freezing wind from sneaking in. Wearing thermals and long johns under your shirts and pants also help.
Invest in the Right Jacket
You want to make sure you’re buying the right jacket for Chicago weather. Those in the know advise against a parka jacket in Chicago during winter time, as they can make you sweat. When the wind gets in and freezes, the sweat can lead to hypothermia. Buy a jacket with a water and wind repellent exterior. A parka with medium insulation rated for -10 degrees is a good investment. It’ll keep the wind outside your clothes and help prevent you from getting wet.
Cover Your Feet, Head and Hands
Your feet, hands, and head are the farthest from your heart. They’re the first parts of your body to get cold. This means layers are needed to heat these areas up, too. Wear a few pairs of socks and leg warmers as well as reinforced winter gloves. Keep your ears and face as warm as possible by wearing a scarf wrapped around your head and neck, or under a hat or hood.
Stay Healthy and Eat Right
Staying healthy and giving your body what it needs is crucial. Eat foods that give you a lot of energy to burn during the day. Drink warm beverages and eat hot soup to keep your body temperature up. If you have to do outdoor work go slow, pay attention to your body and take multiple breaks, as needed.
Frostbite & Hypothermia Prevention
Frostbite is a severe reaction due to cold exposure of the skin. This can permanently damage the fingers, toes, nose, and more body parts. Symptoms are a white or pale appearance to the skin and numbness. When any of these symptoms are apparent, seek medical attention immediately. If medical help is not immediate, slowly warm the affected areas. Never do this by placing freezing hands under hot water. Start with lukewarm water, and work your way up.
Hypothermia is when your body temperature lowers below normal; specifically less than 95 degrees F. This can be seriously life threatening.
Symptoms include:
- Slurred speech
- Incoherence
- Loss of memory
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Drowsiness or nausea
- Stumbling repeatedly
- Exhaustion
If any of these symptoms are detected, take the person’s temperature immediately. If below 95 degrees F, seek medical attention without delay. In case medical help is not available, begin warming and heating the persons body, slowly.
Elgin Winter Life Hacks
- Use white wine vinegar to take salt off your shoes.
- Insulate the windows in your house.
- Use the city snow plow tracking app.
- Street still snowy? Call your alderman.
- Carry hot hand warmers with you.
- Moisturize more than you think you need to.
- Keep a shovel and ice scraper in your vehicle.
An Elgin winter for most people is filled with a lot of enjoyable activities. Unfortunately, these activities can accompany painful learning experiences. Even people who have lived here for years still get thrown off by the arrival of the cold.
Contact a Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorney Today!
Make sure that your winter activities stay ENJOYABLE, not painful. And if you do suffer an injury, give us a call. Our personal injury legal team will help build a case that will hold those responsible liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. We look forward to helping you and also getting you the compensation you deserve.
Accidents can happen at any time of the day. So, we will take your call at 844-977-1900 or to chat via LiveChat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With free consultations, you risk nothing by contacting us. We also take no fee unless we win your case. So, rest easy this winter, and stay warm!
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.