How to... Avoid Frostbite

A month ago, we weren’t all that worried about our fingers freezing off: That level of frozen-appendage badness was only a concern for crazy mountain men or anyone dating Martha Stewart.

But the Great Ice Storm of 2007 changed all that. Even in this day of heated toilet seats and a Lowes on every corner, frigidness became an all-too-real phenomenon. Just in case we get another ice blitz—or the world’s petroleum resources suddenly disappear—here are some tips for everyday extremity warmth (warning, these are not Al Gore-approved):

• Wear wool or synthetic fleece for your outer layer, a wicking fabric underneath
• Leave airspace between the layers; don’t wear six skin-tight thermals.
• Eat carb-packed foods—small amounts at frequent intervals.
• If your hands or feet feel numb, warm them immediately.
• Don’t ignore your core: keeping the rest of your body warm and dry will help you phalanges, too.
• Don’t wear tight-fitting clothing—it decreases circulation
• Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol: They promote dehydration and shrink blood vessels.
  

Source: ehow.com