Stay Warm and Prepared with These Winter Must Haves
Next month, specifically on December 22, winter will officially be upon those who are based in the US. While it brings about beautiful, snow-covered sceneries and cold temperatures, it also ushers in harsher weather, harder commutes, and seasonal pressures. As temperatures drop, the number of people getting sick with respiratory illnesses surges. Arming yourself with winter must haves can help ensure that you’ll stay healthy and comfortable during the harsh winter months, enabling you to provide the care your patients need and deserve.
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the most essential winter wear items that can help you remain healthy, safe, and comfortable during the winter season.
Essential Winter Clothing Essentials for Healthcare Workers
1. Winter tires and emergency kit
The Federal Highway Administration states that 21% of almost 5.9 million car crashes in the US yearly are weather-related. Among the over 1.2 million weather-related car accidents, more than 500,000 are caused by snow, sleet, or icy/slushy pavements.
To ensure that you’re able to get to and from work safely in winter, it’s imperative to get your vehicle fitted with winter tires, which are great for maintaining traction, accelerating, stopping, and cornering in icy and slushy road conditions.
Aside from switching to winter tires, you should have an emergency kit in your vehicle. This is not a winter-only thing — it should be in your car at all times — but aside from the usual emergency kit items, you can add winter-specific items, too, such as a windshield brush and scraper, an extra blanket and sweater, warm socks and gloves, and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction.
2. Layered Clothing for Maximum Warmth
Layering is key when it comes to winter clothing essentials. Depending on how cold your facility gets during winter, you may want to consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt underneath your scrubs. When temperatures drop to 0°C or colder, you can opt to wear long johns or thermal wool undergarments under your scrubs, and even a hoodie. The trick is to ensure that you won’t feel too hot indoors that you’ll perspire and trap sweat in your layers, which can cause you to feel cold and make you feel uncomfortable while working.
3. Hat and gloves
These items are non-negotiable especially when you’re commuting and even when you’re trekking the parking lot (which always seems far larger and takes longer to traverse during winter) to get to the hospital’s front door. A hat that comfortably covers your head and ears, as well as waterproof and thermal gloves, can help you deal with snow on your car after your shift, allowing you to remove snow from your vehicle swiftly and comfortably.
4. Winter boots and thermal socks
Having sturdy, comfortable, and waterproof boots is imperative when trudging through snowy pavements. Aside from keeping your feet warm and your socks dry, good winter boots provide stability with your every step, helping prevent slips and falls. Ensure that your winter boots fit well, are tall enough, and have good arch support. Your boots might be too heavy to wear all shift long, so it’s a good idea to keep comfy shoes in your locker and wear them at work.
Aside from wearing winter boots, consider wearing thermal socks to keep your toes warm, especially outdoors. If your facility cranks its heating high during winter and your socks are too warm for indoor use, bring cotton socks and wear those at work. Leave an extra pair or two of cotton socks in your locker to ensure you’re always comfortable (and ready).
By equipping yourself with these essential winter wear items, you can stay safe, comfortable, and ready to care for patients throughout the season. Armed with these winter must haves, you’re better prepared to tackle winter with confidence—and if you’re considering a new job, explore exciting job openings here.
