Walking outside for more than 30 minutes in the winter can have unpleasant consequences if walkers do not prepare themselves properly. For example, your walking fun time can be ruined by hypothermia, sunburn or different accidents due to slippery conditions. Children and older adults should be particularly careful. Here are some tips that will help you enjoy winter walking:

• While getting dressed for your winter walk, make sure you wear lots of layers, for example, a T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and a jacket. You don't need too many layers on the bottom. Long trousers and long sleeve shirts are sufficient. Remember to avoid cotton fabrics. They hold moisture that can lead to hypothermia.
• As for shoes, wear water-resistant shoes with a good tread. Pair them up with wicking socks that push sweat away from the skin and keep a dry pair in case they are needed.
• Don't forget to cover your head and ears, since your head tends to release more heat than any other part of your body, while ears have less sensitivity to pain and thus can be frostbitten quickly.
• Fanny packs can be used for carrying water, a first-aid kit, a whistle or an energy bar snack.
• It is a good idea to have warm water or herbal tea with you, to warm you and keep you hydrated. Use stainless steel bottles rather than plastic ones, as they are sturdier and cleaner.
• In order to stay protected against strong winds, use ski goggles. Put on sunglasses with a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the strong sun.
• In the winter, poles can be even more helpful. They provide balance, and they can poke the path and help you identify holes covered by snow that can cause falls and hurt ankles.
• Finally, find a partner or join a walking group. Don't try to be like those guys on TV jogging and hiking alone. But if you have nobody to walk with, take a cell phone, GPS and flashlight with you.