Cold weather, slippery conditions and darker days combine in the winter to make the outside world a tricky place to navigate for some people, including the very young and older members of your family. In fact, any family members who have mobility difficulties can sometimes find that the winter weather is off-putting – and I certainly struggle when it’s slippery or dark out there.
So, here are some practical ideas for keeping all the members of your family safe and comfortable when they head outside in the winter…
Cosy layers
One of the main difficulties of heading outside in the winter is the temperature. We’re so used to living in warmer homes that it can be quite a shock when we head outside and discover just how chilly it is out there!
So, wrapping up warm is essential for keeping your loved ones safe and protected from the winter weather. I previously bought my mum a ski jacket for the winter, which really does the job of keeping her warm; it’s thickly padded, waterproof and windproof, with a cosy hood and adjustable cuffs to keep the chills out.
You can also add extra layers underneath your coat. This makes it easy to adjust your own temperature while you’re out and about; sometimes it can feel too hot when you’ve bundled up in preparation for the cold weather but end up going into heated shops or if your core body temperature warms up after walking.
And I probably don’t have to tell you about hats, scarves, gloves and – my essentials – thermal underlayers!
Sensible support
A walking frame can be a great help in keeping your older relatives mobile in the winter. I’m not just talking about the old-fashioned Zimmer frames, although these certainly have their place when it comes to sitting and standing at home. In fact, the frames with a tray attached can be very handy for keeping essentials close at hand, such as reading materials, glasses, warm drinks and so on.
But what I’m really talking about those Rollator walkers that can be used both inside and outside. These actually help people to stay active by offering a little bit of assistance. The frame often has a built-in bag, so there’s no need to lug heavy shopping bags with you and makes it so much easier to carry items.
There’s also a convenient space to sit down, which is essential for resting after walking in wintery weather. Plus, simply having the frame to support you can make a big difference in feeling confident about going for a stroll on colder days. With grippy wheels and handbrakes, your relatives will be in control of the frame and will probably be much better supported on slippery surfaces than I would be in my trainers haha!
Let there be light
One of the key things that makes it difficult to navigate the outdoors in the winter is the darker days. Even the mornings can be too dark to see clearly and sometimes, if the sky is overcast with dark clouds, the whole day can feel like dusk. I’ve previously written about how to deal with darker days for better physical and mental health so do have a read of that article if it’s a difficult time of year for you.
So a couple of items are essential for your safety if you’re going to head outside in the winter. The first is a torch or some sort of lighting. It’s possible to get woolly hats that have lightweight torches stitched into the turn-up cuff so that you can see clearly wherever you look. This leaves your hands free to support yourself, whether using a walking aid, grappling with handrails or just trying to stay upright when it’s icy out!
The second thing to do is to make sure that you and your loved ones are visible to others. A great way to do this is by wearing a reflective coat, gilet or straps. It’s even possible to get joggers, trainers and jackets with reflective details built into the design. All of these options will shine brightly when illuminated by car headlights, street lights or a torch so you won’t disappear into the darkness.
I previously saw a child wearing a fully reflective jacket on the school run – glowing like a giant light bulb – and I thought it was such a genius idea that I immediately bought myself a reflective silver running gilet that I can wear over the top of any jacket or coat in the winter. It makes me so visible to others and therefore, very very safe during the dark mornings or after the sun sets.
I hope these ideas will be useful for you and your family this winter. If you prepare in advance, it can make it so much easier to venture outdoors during those chilly days. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any other ideas for keeping youngsters and your elderly relatives safe throughout the season, I’d love to hear your tips.
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