20 Tips To Keep Us Safe In The Arctic

1. Drink up

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When the temperature is low, you may not find water appealing. Heck, you may not want to go near the damn thing. However, keep this in mind. Your blood is what keeps you warm when it’s cold. Staying hydrated increases blood volume, so you’re not running out of warmth. Bottoms up!

2. Don’t swim in the water

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Chris Hemsworth’s cold-water therapy has provided motivation for lots of people to plunge into Arctic waters. I plead with you not to follow suit. In just a matter of minutes, the freezing water can make light work of you. Let’s leave the Arctic swimming to the pros- seals and polar bears, okay?

3. Back away from the bears

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White fur that you just can’t help but want to sneak a touch and a face that looks as adorable as candy. Bears might look cute, but they are not friendly. Resist the temptation to approach polar bears. And no, you can’t pet the cubs either; mama bear won’t take too kindly to that.

4. Eat more fat

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Time for a little biology flashback. Your body is made up of fat tissues that protect your organs and also play a huge role in regulating temperature. When you eat more fat, you help your body stock and bulk up. As the fat metabolizes, your body produces some much-needed heat.

5. Keep indoors

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From snow baking and catching snowflakes on your tongue to snow angels and snow mazes, your inner child will be screaming at you to play outside. It’s going to be tough to resist, but you have to. Arctic winds are colder than a banker’s smile and will instantly sap you cold.

6. Layer up

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It goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway. In the Arctic, you must put on many layers, especially when going out to work or running an errand. We’re talking long-sleeved tops, thick socks and gloves, a winter hat, and a waterproof jacket. Oh, and you’ll need some snow pants, too.

7. Slap on some sunscreen

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What? Sunscreen in the land where the sun visits twice a year, like your long-lost uncle from Kansas? You may know the Arctic for its cold, but the Arctic sun can be just as brutal. Always slip, slop, and slap before you head out, even on days that seem darker than Adolf Hitler’s soul.

8. Don’t snuggle with the space heater

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Amid the icy touch of the Arctic, your space heater is the one friend you can always count on to protect you from the cold. But as is the case with any friend, you don’t want to get too close lest they harm you. Close proximity can lead to some serious skin burns. Stay at least 3 feet away.

9. Avoid cloudy/white ice

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The last thing you want to do is fall through icy water in freezing temperatures. Always be on the lookout for weak ice. You’ll know the ice can easily give way if it’s opaque or cloudy. Black/clear blue hues are typical indications of strong ice. Keep that in mind. It might just save your life.

10. Check the engine

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Your warm vehicle engine creates irresistible sleeping quarters for pets and feral animals trying to get away from the cold. Before you turn on the ignition, pop the hood and check for signs of life. Do the same for the inside of your car as well as underneath, especially behind your tires.

11. Back up the backup medicine

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It never hurts to have an extra supply of your prescription meds tucked away safely, more so in the Arctic where the weather can be unpredictable. You never know when the odd blizzard might decide to give everyone – including your trusty physician/pharmacist - a day or five off from work.

12. Watch the speed

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You’re not auditioning for the next Fast and Furious movie. Take it slow whenever you have to be on the road. On the same note, don’t hit the brakes as if you’re squashing a cockroach. Ease it into and brake slower to avoid skidding. You’ll also need to give yourself ample space from surrounding traffic.

13. Work slowly

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With the snow piling up around you, naturally, you’ll want to take a shovel and do something about it. If you have to do chores outside, do them slowly and take frequent breaks. Overexertion can set in quickly; sweating will also amplify your body’s heat loss.

14. Stay away from alcohol

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No matter what you may believe, do not drink vodka to stay warm in the Arctic. If you get hammered, you might mistake the snow outside for your bedroom, and that could lead to some serious frostbite. The occasional drinking, of course, shouldn’t be an issue.

15. The same goes for smoking

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Did you know that ordinary cigarette packs more than 4,000 carcinogenic substances? Anyway, that’s not what I’m worried about here. Cold air is usually very dry. Because of that, it can exacerbate tissue damage (fissures and tears) that you would get from smoking.

16. Don’t eat the snow

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Snow is cold, really cold. The amount of core heat it takes to digest it inside your body will only make things worse for you. So let the snow melt outside your body rather than in it. If that doesn’t faze you, perhaps the side effects, such as diarrhea and vomiting, might scare you straight.

17. Travel conservatively

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Learn something new, cook a new recipe, or try that home makeover you’ve always been talking about but seemingly never have time to follow through. Whatever you do, don’t just travel around the Arctic because you’re bored. The road conditions are rarely at their best.

18. Shuff off the water if the pipes freeze

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When the temperatures drop too much, the water in the pipes may freeze. When that happens, and the water supply keeps coming, the pipe could burst, causing some serious injury or structural damage. Consequently, you’ll want to examine your pipes regularly for deformation.

19. Prepare an emergency kit

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Do you have a contingency plan in case the power goes out, or someone gets hurt? You’ll want to keep a couple of essentials handy just in case of emergencies. This includes extra water, a first-aid kit, a battery-powered radio to kill time, flashlights, and non-perishable snacks.

20. Inspect the carbon monoxide alarms

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Four times as many cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning occur in the winter compared to spring. As you retreat inside and close doors and windows, carbon monoxide will build up. This can dangerously slip under the radar if your CO detector is faulty. Test the CO levels monthly.

21. Beware of the seals

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Seals will approach you, and unlike with a polar bear, you might get the feeling that it’s safe to be around them. Naturally playful, seals are deceptively friendly. Don’t fall for their innocent act. Underneath that cuddly exterior is a monster that can do some serious damage. Don’t feed or pet them.

22. And the wolverines and foxes too

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Many have underestimated the Arctic fox or wolverine because of their small stature. They have paid for their lesson in blood. These predators can kill prey 20 times their size. Think about that the next time you want to square up to either. I believe you know better about Arctic wolves, too.

23. Reverse ceiling fans

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Technology 101. When your ceiling fan runs in a clockwise direction (really slowly), it pushes warm air down, causing the room to feel warmer. While you can always crank up the thermostat if your living space feels draughty, doing this can save a bit of electricity and money.

24. Seal those cracks

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Buy some insulation or foam and use it to fill air leaks around your home. They bleed your house off its warmth, raising the risk of frostbite. These air leaks/cracks can be found around window frames, fireplace dampers, and attic hatches. Better yet, get a professional to take care of this for you.

25. Keep moving when outside

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Don’t stand or sit still for long periods when you go outside. Stay active and keep moving to encourage blood circulation. If you’re taking public transportation, take exercise breaks every 30 minutes or so, where you could simply jump in place, perform lunges, or just stretch out.

26. Watch for hypothermia

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Hypothermia or frostbite can crop in without your knowledge. Fortunately, you may be able to spot this by sudden skin discoloration. If you or a loved one also experiences slurred speech or drowsiness, seek medical assistance immediately. Look out for each other by regularly checking for symptoms.

27. Don’t overload your sockets

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You may need extra heating appliances and other electronics around the home to fight the cold and the boredom. But be careful not to overload the outlet and, worse yet, the breaker. This elevates the risk of an electrical fire, so spread out all your appliances around power points.

28. Plug space heaters directly

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Space heaters draw so much electrical current that they might even cause a dedicated extension cord or power strip to overheat and burn. Plug them directly into a dedicated power outlet. The same goes for any electrical appliance with more than a 13-amp rating.

29. Practice with gear

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If you’ve decided to go skiing or participate in some other snow sport, I recommend first test-driving all your equipment in your backyard. A missing or faulty piece of equipment can result in serious injury. You want to ensure everything works as it should before you head out.

30. Have bear spray

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By now, you know to respect the Arctic wildlife. But, they might not feel the same way. You’re definitely not winning a fight with a 250-pound animal, so your best bet at self-dense is a bear spray. Only use it as a last resort when the bear is up close (30 feet away). And always go for the head.