You may have heard of the myth that 70% of your body heat is lost through your head, and while this is only a myth, it is still extremely important to keep your head covered this winter. The amount of body heat lost depends on how much skin you expose, not the particular body. Since the head only makes up about 10 percent of the average body’s total area, it can only account for 10 percent of total body heat lost.
Although the head does not naturally lose heat disproportionately from the body, leaving your head exposed while the rest of your body is covered can cause this disproportionate loss of heat. Check out the video to the right, created by University of Michigan Professor Andrew Maynard, which debunks the 70% myth and illustrates how heat is lost through the body.
The best way to protect yourself from the cold is to have full body coverage, including your head. When it comes to working outside around arc flash and fire hazards, this is often not as easy as it sounds. Once you’ve found the proper FR workwear and outerwear for cold weather, don’t forget to complete your full body coverage with winter head protection. The specific FR headwear that will work best for you will depend on your potential hazards, employer requirements, and personal preference.