December 5 : Layer up against the winter  

Before heading out into the cold this winter, make sure you are wearing enough clothing to keep you warm and safe from winter's harsh chill.

This is especially true if you are a farmer, construction worker, outdoor enthusiast or someone who spends a lot of time outside in the cold months. You're at risk for developing hypothermia, a condition in which your body temperature drops because it's losing more heat than it can replace.

Hypothermia causes a gradual reduction in physical and mental functioning that may go unnoticed until it's too late. A person suffering from hypothermia can become increasingly confused, clumsy, unreasonable and sleepy. Undetected and untreated, hypothermia can cause death.

Keep in mind that wearing at least a few layers of the proper kind of fabrics is an effective way to prevent hypothermia. Multiple layers of thinner clothing provide better insulation and help reduce the loss of body heat.

Selecting the appropriate fabrics which are closest to your skin can also help keep you warm.

Cotton should try to be avoided as it holds in your perspiration. Instead, try wearing synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene that keep moisture away from your body.

Here are some other recommendations, which will help keep you warmer :

• Wool is the best material to wear when it's cold. Wear it over inner layers of synthetic fabrics.
• Wear a hat. You can lose up to 70 per cent of your body heat through your head.
• Gloves and mittens also help conserve body heat.
• Wear multiple layers of socks.
• Stay dry. Wearing wet clothes is a major factor in causing hypothermia and frostbite.

If you would like more information, visit HealthyOntario.com

Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman reminded Ontario residents about the importance of getting a free flu shot with the early start of flu season this year.

”In light of new outbreaks of the flu, we encourage people in Ontario to get the flu shot, so that they can protect themselves and those around them from getting ill,” Smitherman said. ’The flu shot is free and it is more convenient than ever to get a flu shot this year.”

Flu shots are available through doctors, public health units, pharmacies and workplaces across the province.

”Getting a flu shot continues to be the best way of reducing the chance of becoming ill with the flu,” said Dr. Colin D'Cunha, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

”Although a new strain of influenza has appeared, this year's flu vaccine still offers protection against it so that people who get the flu shot will either not get the flu or will only have a mild case of influenza.” Dr. D'Cunha explained that the A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2) strain is similar to the A/Panama strain, which is included in the influenza vaccine being used in the province.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Ontario government has offered free flu shots to all residents.

For further information on getting a flu shot, call 1-866-FLU-'N YOU (1-866-358-6968) (TTY 1-800-387-5559), or phone your local public health unit.

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