At Dickson, we know about temperature. We create and sell devices that monitor some of the world’s most critical temperature environments. We are temperature experts. That is how we know that with freezing temperatures, the winter season makes going outside uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous.
Exposure to extreme cold reduces blood flow to the skin's surface which also decreases the overall volume of liquid that your body can hold. Your body responds by ditching liquid and then shivers to produce heat in your muscles.
While actual temperature is problematic, you also need to consider wind chill. The National Weather Service defines wind chill as “the temperature it "feels like" outside based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin.” That is why the wind chill has to be accounted for when determining how dangerous the conditions are outside.
Usually, when parts of your body get too cold, they turn red and painful. Symptoms of frostbite, however, include a loss of feeling and lack of color. Fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose are the areas most susceptible to frostbite. Your body works hard to keep internal organs and your head warm, and sometimes extremities get left behind. Anyone showing signs of hypothermia or frostbite should seek medical attention immediately.
This chart shows how long you can be exposed to certain temperatures before it will result in frostbite.
Our office is located in Chicago, which is ranked number 48 on 24/7 Wall Street’s list of coldest cities in America. The average winter monthly minimum temperature is
16.5 F and the max is 63.9 F with the average annual snowfall being 39.5 inches. Doesn’t it make you start to shiver just thinking about it? We think so too.
That is why we held a coat drive here at Dickson to help those who might not be able to afford coats to protect themselves or loved ones during these harsh winter months. With the help of One Warm Coat, we were able to collect 16 new or hardly used coats for the Cornerstone Community Outreach shelter in the Sheridan Park neighborhood.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to donate your spare time and make a difference in someone’s life, and it’s something we do with pride at Dickson. If you are interested in donating your time or talent, you can find a list of reputable organizations through the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org charity portal.
