SMART TIPS FOR CHILLY TEMPERATURES
As the whole country is dealing with icy cold temperatures nowadays, the experts warn that especially homeless people, elderly, children, and people working outside are under risk. They state that people need to spend less time outside and protect their head, mouth, face, ears, and hands and feet as these are prone to hypothermia. Experts also state that instead of very heavy clothes, dressing in layers would be more desirable.
The extent of cold and the length of exposure may cause cold injuries, said Nursun Üstünkarlı, Lecturer at IUE Vocational School of Health Sciences. She said, “Cold emergencies may increase these days as our country is experiencing chilly temperatures. People should avoid going outside on extremely cold days and at nights if possible. If not, they should try to spend less time outside. It only takes a few hours to develop cold injuries.”
‘What to do’
Üstünkarlı said that people exposed to cold weather experienced symptoms such as movement impairments, numbness, swelling, and pain, and she recommended the following in case of cold emergencies:
“To treat the victim, the provider should make available a warm environment and the frozen parts should be allowed to warm naturally through dry clothing and blankets. Do not manipulate the frozen parts; this will only lead to cellular damage and muscle tearing. If there is any possibility that the frozen part will re-freeze, do not thaw the frozen parts. Do not burst the blisters if there are any. Cover the wounds with sterile medical dressing. Do not ever re-freeze the parts, or apply warm packs on the frozen parts directly.”
‘Clothing should maintain the body heat’
Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, IUE Head of Department of Fashion and Textile Design, stated that people should opt for dressing in layers instead of heavy clothes. She also suggested wearing under garment and thick socks. Prof. Dr. Adanır said, “Specially designed thermal or wool underwear may be preferred. If the work environment is warm, these under garment may be uncomfortable. A shirt or a blouse over underwear and a sweater or vest over it may be more comfortable. You can always take off a layer when you get warm. When it comes to coats or jackets make sure they are waterproof and windproof.”
‘Jeans can get pretty cold and icy’
Prof. Dr. Adanır stated that even tough wool was expensive it provided the best isolation. She said that it was important to keep the extremities warm by making the following suggestions:
“Hats, mittens, scarfs are absolute musts of winter. These may be made of natural fibers as wool, cashmere, angora, or made of acrylic. Youth prefer to wear denim. They need to make sure it doesn’t get wet as cotton fiber tends to keep moist for a long time, it would take quite some time for jeans to get dry. It may be very uncomfortable and it might even get icy. Therefore, cuffs should be tucked inside boots.”
