Winter Hazard Awareness Week Shifts Outdoors on Tuesday

(KNSI) – Winter Hazard Awareness Week focuses on outdoor winter safety as it stretches its legs into Tuesday.

The woods and lakes of Minnesota offer several winter activities that can become life-threatening if precautions are skipped. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Todd Krause says danger lurks on the ice even though it can’t be seen. “Sometimes, it looks tempting to go out on the ice, but even in the middle of winter, even after we’ve had real cold weather, sometimes there are some lakes where there are spots where the ice is not really all that great.”

Swift currents or a heavy snowpack are among the reasons that prevent ice from properly setting. He recommends going to the experts to avoid trouble. “It’s always a good move to check with somebody local, who knows that lake real well, about what areas might be in trouble.”

For those planning to be outside in the winter, whether ice fishing or otherwise, make sure to tell someone where you are going and how long you expect to be out. That way, if you fail to return on schedule, someone can quickly alert the authorities to begin search and rescue operations.

Another tip from Krause is to have the right clothing. Dress in layers and cover up hands, feet, and ears. “Sometimes, you hear reports of people’s toes freezing and so on, or fingers. So, it’s usually the extremities, the hands and feet, that are in rough shape.”

Frostbite first feels like a prickling on the skin before numbness sets in. In severe cases, the skin will turn bluish-white and look waxy. Joints and muscles can stiffen, leading to clumsiness. If wind chills drop to -17°F, frostbite can set in in as little as 30 minutes.

Finally, Krause is asking people to avoid alcohol if they are going to operate a snowmobile.

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