Dress Warmly and Stay Dry

Adults and children should wear:

• a hat

• a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth

• sleeves that are snug at the wrist

• mittens (they keep hands warmer than gloves)

• water-resistant coat and boots

• several layers of loose-fitting clothing

Layer-up

1. Inner Layer: Wear fabrics that hold more body heat and don't absorb moisture. Wool, silk, or polypropylene holds more body heat than cotton.

2. Insulation Layer: An insulation layer helps retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool or goose down, or a classic fleece work best.

3. Outer Layer: The outermost layer helps protect from wind, rain, and snow. It should be tightly woven, and preferably water and wind resistant, to reduce loss of body heat.

Additional Tips:

• Stay dry-wet clothing chills the body rapidly.

• Excess perspiration increases heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.

• Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on skin while di-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blowers. These materials, in contact with the skin, greatly increase heat loss from the body.

• Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistant shivering is a signal to return indoors.