“Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.” mayoclinic.org 

Don’t get left out in the cold. Hypothermia is real and can happen quickly. Even in the south where temperatures are not traditionally on the chilly side, cold spells are not out of the question. When the thermometer takes a plunge, be sure to have what you need to stay warm:

  1. Warm clothing such as flannel pajamas, woolly slippers, socks, and sweaters.
  2. Cozy blankets – bed size and throws for your couch
  3. Car gear that includes a wool blanket.
  4. Hats (wearing them inside works too), a hot water bottle filled with warm water, and laying rugs on cold floors all help to keep a body warm.
  5. Move! Moving your body, even walking in place, is helpful to keep warm.
  6. Avoid alcohol. Though it may feel warm going down, alcohol actually lowers the core temperature of the body.

Even if it’s not so cold that hypothermia is a potential, keeping warm in cool or cold weather is important to one’s health. Having a few essentials on hand makes it easy to stay warm.