The winter has arrived, but it’s still not too late to make some lifestyle changes to support better health and wellbeing. If you want to stay warm and well this winter season makes sure you salt the driveway and plan ahead when walking home at night, and invest in some safety devices.
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Stay Warm
To stay safe in winter, one of the first things you need to do is stay warm. When the temperatures drop in the winter, you stand a higher chance of catching a cold, flu, or illness; and being cold can also affect your mental health and wellbeing at a time when you should be celebrating the season with your family. Make sure your home is ready for the winter.
There are many things you can do to protect your home in winter and ensure you stay warm and healthy. Start by having your boiler checked; this will ensure your home is prepared for the cold and you don’t suffer any unexpected issues. If you can’t install new insulation for the winter, consider hanging heavy curtains and using draft excluders, this helps keep your bills down.
Avoid Slipping
Slipping in the winter is a concern, especially if you live in a colder climate or the temperatures have turned colder recently. Sometimes ice is easy to see on the paths and driveways, but not always. Conventional ice is a white frosting that covers the tarmac, but black ice is invisible. Black ice is not exactly black; rather, it’s clear and allows the tarmac color to come through.
In order to avoid black ice when walking or driving in the winter, you need to pay special to the pathways and roads. Remember that black ice is invisible, and there is always a chance it is there; additionally, you can reduce your chances of slipping in local areas by putting down some salt or grit on your driveway and paths. This helps you to avoid some dangerous slips and falls.
Night Protection
It’s the festive season, and people are going to parties and gatherings with family and friends. At this time of year, there’s a strong chance you will find yourself alone at night walking home; at times like this, you need to be on high alert for dangers to your health and wellbeing. There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself when it is dark and find yourself o your own.
The first thing you need to do is to ensure you know where you are; this requires some forward planning. If you don’t know where you are, use a map on your phone or a paper map in your bag to find your way to the nearest public space. In extreme cases, you might have to use a Baton to protect yourself; it’s worth looking into a convenient and user-friendly baton to take.
Driving Safety
During the winter, there are issues with walking and driving on the sidewalks and roads; that’s mainly because of the ice and water that is more common at this time of year. At the same time, you have to contend with the darkness and shorter days during the winter. Imagine trying to look out for black ice on the road at night or during low-light levels during the day; it’s not so easy.
Prepare your car for winter, and you will encounter fewer issues and protect your health. Instead of having to deal with a car accident due to inattention or having the wrong tires on the vehicle, you can enjoy a hot drink in a warm home with your family and no extra stress. The main things you need to think about when driving in winter are your tires and the antifreeze in your engine.
More Attention
Needless to say, you need to pay more attention to your lifestyle if you want to stay safe and warm in winter. First, pay attention to your home and make sure you have all the upgrades and checks carried out for winter; next, pay attention to where you walk and drive in the local areas. In general, more mindfulness supports a safer and happier way of life throughout the winter.
Final Thoughts
Winter can be a hazardous time; there is more ice on the roads and more chance of catching a cold or illness because of the low temperature and abundance of flu viruses. However, paying a little more attention to your lifestyle at this time of year protects you from winter’s worst effects.
