Although it may seem–like–totally cool to not wear a coat, a simple coat could be the key to your health. This past week’s temperatures have dipped below zero. It’s time to realize a coat is not just a fashion statement, but also an item used to maintain health.

In the case of an accident, wearing your coat can come in handy. There are a multitude of accidents that can happen, from minor accidents that you have to stand out in the cold, to more serious accidents where your coat can keep your body warm and functioning until help arrives. In the end, a coat is a simple, warm step toward protecting yourself from the dangers of the cold weather. Cdc.gov suggests, “Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind.”

Gloves or mittens and a hat are helpful too. Walking into school may not seem to be a very long walk for some, but in a short time, your hands can get frostbit. School nurse, Pam Cinadr, says, “In -35 degrees, considering wind chill, it only takes 15 minutes to get frostbite.” Especially for those students that park at the Scott lot or the lower lot, protecting your hands is a must. Since most of the heat loss from our bodies occurs at the top of our heads, wearing a hat while out in the cold can help trap in some of the body heat generated to keep you warm and safe. “You really want to wear a hat to keep your head and your ears warm since you’re losing all that heat from the top of your head,” adds Cinadr.

Although getting a cold from being physically cold is a myth, it is a good idea to keep your body at a warm temperature to help fight disease as well as protect your limbs from losing too much heat in the cold.