Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

Winter can be a beautiful season. Especially for those who enjoy snow, cooler temperatures, and sitting by a fireplace. However, from slippery sidewalks to chilly houses, even the most beautiful seasons can come with some challenges, especially for seniors.

To help you keep the seniors in your life safe, secure, and happy during the winter months, Mr. HandymanⓇ has some winter safety tips for seniors to help everyone enjoy the season with confidence.

Layering Is the Key to Staying Warm

Whether you’re inside or out, fending off colder temperatures isn’t just about warmer clothing. Layering your clothing will help keep you warm and cozy. If you get too warm, simply remove a layer. 

Sweatshirts, coats, gloves, scarves, and hats are essential when heading outdoors during the winter months. Sure, they look fashionable, but they also play an important role in maintaining a healthy core temperature. This is especially important when discussing winter safety for seniors. Older family members may have a harder time maintaining a consistent core temperature, which ideally should be 98.6° Fahrenheit. Laying clothing helps seniors better regulate their core temperature by removing layers when it gets too high and adding layers when it’s too low.    

Choose Proper Footwear for Safe Travels

Many places in the United States and Canada see snow and ice in the winter. While beautiful when it’s falling, snow can provide a lot of safety challenges for everyone, especially seniors. 

One of the most useful pieces of advice for the elderly in cold weather is to wear proper footwear for outdoor conditions. Insulated boots are the best option for keeping feet warm and dry while providing the right amount of traction to make navigating slippery surfaces more secure. In addition to the proper footwear, make sure all walkways and driveways are cleared of ice and snow to ensure safe passage for seniors. 

Keep Your Home Warm and Comfy

A big part of cold weather safety for older adults is making sure their home heating system is well-maintained. When the temperatures drop below freezing, the last thing you need is a heating emergency!

To avoid heating issues, call in the pros to perform a full inspection and the necessary maintenance before the lower temperatures arrive. Being proactive about your heating systems will help protect you from costly emergency repairs and dangerously low temperatures.

Prevent Slips and Falls

Slip and fall accidents in and around a home are common throughout the year, but especially during the winter months when ice and/or snow can make conditions hazardous. That’s why so many winter safety tips for seniors focus on preventing them.

When you know that snow or ice is in the forecast, be proactive. Remove snow as quickly as possible and use salt or a deicing agent on sidewalks, walkways, and driveways to reduce the amount of ice so these hard surfaces are less hazardous to walk on. Having a plan to clear i