Guest Author - Lisa Shea

If you are outside at all in the winter, then it's important to keep yourself safe and healthy. Here are easy to follow tips to ensure you don't get frostbite or hypothermia.

Dress in Layers
The layers between clothing help to trap warm air against your body. It makes it easy to add on another layer if it gets just a little colder, rather than ignoring the chill. If it's windy out, make sure your outer layer is of a material meant to keep out the wind.

Wear a Hat
There's a reason that people used to wear hats to bed! Most of your body heat escapes right out the top of your noggin. Keep a hat on to ensure your heat stays inside where it belongs.

Drink Warm Non-Alcoholic Beverages
You really do heat up from the inside. Alcohol causes many problems with heat retention, so stick with the hot cocoa, chicken soup, coffee, tea and other warm drinks. Whatever you drink, drink regularly. If you get dehydrated, your body will have trouble keeping warm.

Wear Comfortable Mittens
Having your fingers all together lets them share body warmth. Make sure the mittens fit properly. If they're too big, your fingers will have trouble keeping all that space warm. If they're too small, you'll cut off circulation.

Keep Moving
Your body stays warmer when it is in motion. Move around, hop on one foot, whatever helps keep your body going.

Carry a Thermometer
I love having a clip-on plastic thermometer that attaches to the zipper pull of my jacket. That way I always know how cold it is. Be aware of the temperature, and have a lower limit set. You can always go inside for a while to warm back up or to get some hot cocoa while things are truly frigid.

There are always more advanced ideas - buying specialized clothing, getting battery-charged heating systems, wearing face masks and custom socks. Whatever your budget can afford, make sure you do the research first to ensure your money is being well spent.

Then head on out into that wintry world and have some fun!