Take Good Care Of Your Health--Winter WarningOlder people can be vulnerable to hypothermia (or a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit) in cold weather. The risk of low body temperature is worse in extreme cold, of course, but frail, thin, or inactive people can be affected at less frigid temperatures. If you have heart disease or poor circulation, your risk is even greater.Hypothermia is an emergency. Proper clothing and shelter can save your life if you take action early. Most people won't be alert enough to recognize low body temperature after the fact, so prepare for extreme temperature in advance, taking lessons from people in colder climates. If you must go out in cold weather, check the emergency equipment in the car, and carry warm outer wear with you. In the home, make arrangements for a safe source of heat that doesn't require electricity...more people die of fires than hypothermia while trying to stay warm in extremely cold weather. Other stay-warm tips include wool clothing, extra socks, and turtleneck shirts/sweaters to cover the neck. If clothing becomes wet, change as rapidly as possible! The most important principles of cold weather clothing include the following:
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