Doctor: Don't forget coat in winter

An emergency room physician warns never to leave the house in winter without proper clothing even if you spend only a few minutes outdoors. Dr. Paul Pepe, chairman of emergency medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said even of you are going from your garage at home to the parking garage at work -- so you never really have to go outdoors -- you may not think you need to bother bringing a coat. But Pepe says it's "not a good idea" to go without. "You should always be prepared to spend an hour in the cold whenever you leave the house," Pepe said in a statement. "What would you do if you had car trouble or got into an accident? Being unprepared for the cold could leave you at risk for hypothermia, which can be deadly." It's a good idea to keep some blankets, a flashlight, boots, gloves, a scarf and some water in your car so you'll be prepared for cold-weather emergencies, he said.