Winter is officially here, which means in some areas biting winds and freezing precipitation are also in the forecast. The majority of us wouldn't ever think of leaving the house without a coat in freezing climates; nevertheless surprisingly, far too many people leave their sunglasses behind. Although many of us don't think about the glaring sunshine during times that we are venturing out to the freezing cold, the sun's rays are still shining down during the winter months, and in many instances can be even more powerful.

On occasions that you find yourself snowed in, it is wise to be even more cautious. In particular in the aftermath of a serious snow, the blanket of snow covering the ground, trees and everything else in sight, actually magnifies the reflection of the sun. In fact, in many cases it can be painful to open your eyes when you first step outside after a fresh snowfall. The UV exposure that we are all so careful in protecting ourselves against in the summer may actually be more hazardous in the colder season because it reflects off the snow or ice, giving you double exposure. This is why proper sunglasses are an essential winter accessory.

While you want to pick a style you look good in, the most important consideration when choosing sunglasses is making sure they provide adequate protection against UV. Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV light by looking for confirmation that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. Don't worry, proper sun protection doesn't have to cost a lot. Dozens of inexpensive options exist that still provide complete UV protection.

Another important feature in selecting sun wear is size. You want to make sure the lenses cover as much of the area around your eyes as possible. The more coverage you have, the less harmful radiation will be able to get past your sunglasses. Lenses that wrap around the temples will also prevent harmful rays from sneaking in from the periphery.

Although it's much more commonly known these days that sunglasses are critical water gear because the water reflects the sun's rays, this also applies to wintery water as well. Consequently it is just as critical to wear sunglasses during times when you go out in wintery conditions. Further ultraviolet radiation is more powerful at greater altitudes such as mountain ski slopes.

Be in the know about the risks of the sun's radiation to your eyes throughout the year. Don't leave home without your shades.