Dressing warm is crucial when the temperature dips below freezing, but what are your best options to protect against the cold weather?
We asked Heather Trnka, injury prevention supervisor with Akron Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Summit County, for some expert advice when it comes to protecting yourself in extreme cold weather.
Question: What is better? Mittens or gloves?
Answer: “For the weather that we’re going to be experiencing this week, mittens are really what’s going to keep the hands warmer. Anytime that you can keep your fingers together when you can ball them up. Fingers stay warmer when it’s skin to skin. “
Question: What about keeping your head warm? Should you grab a hat or earmuffs?
Answer: “A hat is going to keep your scalp, as well as your ears warm and block the wind.”
Trnka said wearing earmuffs alone is not enough, but doubling up with a hat and earmuffs can help. She encourages young and old to dress in layers if there are plans to spend any time outside.
Question: What about your eyes? Is it possible for your eyes to freeze?
Answer: “No, your eyeballs cannot freeze in this weather.”
Trnka said it’s highly unlikely unless your body is no longer pumping blood.
“One thing you have to take into consideration when you factor in this cold weather is that your eyes are going to tear,” said Trnka. “And when your eyes tear, you probably will develop ice crystals on your eyelashes. But your actual eyeballs cannot freeze.”
The best piece of advice from Trnka?
“My one piece of advice for families, especially for families with children is to stay inside,” said Trnka. “If it’s not a necessary trip, don’t take it.”
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