Cold weather safety.

For Frosty the Snowman, cold weather was ideal--the colder, the better! But for real people, very cold weather can be dangerous.

It's important to know how to keep warm when the temperature drops to freezing (32 [degrees] F) or below. Wearing the right kind of clothes a key to staying warm in cold winter weather.

Wearing several thin layers of clothing will help your body keep more of the heat it produces. The layers trap warm air between them, adding extra warmth between you and the cold outside air. Because a large amount of blood flows to your head, a lot of your body's heat can be lost when your head is exposed to the cold. So wear a warm hat to help keep your whole body warm!

When temperatures are in the single digits (10 to 0[degrees] F), or when the wind chill factor (the combination of the actual temperature and the wind speed) makes it feel near or below 0[degrees] F, don't go outside unless you have to. If you do go outside, make sure you're dressed warmly and stay out only for short periods of time. Don't leave any areas of your skin exposed to the cold--ears, cheeks, and nose included.

When people are not properly protected from the cold, exposed areas of skin may become swollen, red, and itchy. This condition is called chilblain (chil-BLANNE), and can affect the fingers, toes, ears, or other uncovered skin. Frostbite is even more serious. Frostbite happens when an area of the body becomes numb from-the cold and tissue is damaged. Hypothermia (hi-po-THUR-me-uh) is when the body's temperature drops below the normal range.

So, watch the thermometer, listen to the weather reports, and dress properly for winter fun--and safety!