The winter season brings with it chilly winds, fog, and a sharp drop in temperature every year. This season is pleasant for many, but due to negligence and lack of preparation, it sometimes becomes the cause of serious health and safety issues. Considering winters limited only to wearing warm clothes is a big mistake. In reality, this season tests our lifestyle, health, social habits, and administrative preparations. Therefore, staying safe in cold winters is not just individual caution, but the shared responsibility of the entire society.
The biggest danger in winters is physical harm from the cold. Prolonged exposure to cold air lowers the body temperature, which can lead to colds, coughs, fevers, respiratory illnesses, and sometimes serious conditions like hypothermia. Especially children and the elderly are more affected in this season. To prevent this, the right choice of clothing is very important. Instead of wearing one thick layer, multiple layers of clothing should be worn so that body heat remains trapped inside. Fully covering the head, ears, neck, hands, and feet can significantly reduce the effects of cold.
The role of diet becomes even more important in winters for staying healthy. Warm, nutritious, and balanced food gives strength to the body and increases the ability to fight diseases. Lentils (dal), vegetables, seasonal fruits, warm milk, soups, and homemade drinks are beneficial for the body. Many people drink less water in winters because they feel less thirsty, which is not good for health. Consuming adequate water—whether warm or normal—is essential for bodily processes.
One major reason for the increase in respiratory diseases in cold weather is the closed environment in homes and offices. To avoid the cold, windows and doors are kept shut, reducing air circulation. This condition becomes favorable for the spread of viruses and bacteria. Therefore, proper ventilation should be maintained in homes from time to time. Covering the mouth during coughing or sneezing and adopting hygiene habits are also very important.
The use of heating devices is common in winters, but if used incorrectly, they can prove dangerous. Using coal braziers (angithi), coal, or gas heaters in closed rooms can produce poisonous gases, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, proper maintenance of heating appliances, regular checks, and ventilation in rooms are essential. It is often seen that a little negligence becomes the cause of major accidents.
Road safety also becomes a big challenge in winters. The possibility of accidents increases significantly due to fog. While driving, slow speed, proper use of fog lights, and adherence to road rules are very important. Pedestrians and cyclists should also wear reflective clothing so they can be visible from afar.
The effects of winters are not limited to physical health; they also impact mental health. Less sunlight, shorter days, and loneliness can increase depression and anxiety in many people. Especially the elderly and those living alone depend on support during this time. Family gatherings, conversations with neighbors, and social activities are very important for mental well-being.
At the societal level, winters also highlight inequality. While some people live comfortably in warm homes, many lack even basic means to protect themselves from the cold. Homeless people, laborers, and poor families are at the highest risk in winters. Providing shelters, warm clothes, and health services for them is the shared responsibility of the government, institutions, and society.
It would be appropriate to say that staying safe in cold winters is not just about caring for oneself, but about becoming responsible for each other. Only when individual caution, social cooperation, and administrative preparation come together can winters be made safe and enjoyable.

—Davinder Kumar