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Staying Safe During Extreme Cold
During an Extreme Cold Warning
Limit your time outdoors as much as possible
Keep your pets dry & warm indoors as much as possible.
Check on your neighbors, elderly and vulnerable people to ensure they are ok.
If you need to venture outside: Be sure to cover all exposed skin by wearing 1-2 layers of clothing, a hat, gloves, scarf, boots and a warm winter jacket.
Fill up the tank: make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half tank of gas during extreme cold temps so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.
Prepare for power outages - if you are without heat you can call your local non-emergency police number to find the nearest warming center in your area.
Insulate your pipes if possible, open the cabinets under the sink to expose pipes to the heated air, disconnect hoses and shut off water to sprinklers.
Update your car kit: flashlight with batteries, First Aid kit, charged cell phone, extra warmers (hand & feet), cat litter (for better tire traction), shovel, ice scraper, blankets, basic tool kit, food & water, and extra supplies if you have small children/baby.
Eat & Drink: Eat warm foods and drink warm drinks. Food provides energy that warms up the body.
Frostbite
Signs:
Redness or pain in any skin area, white or grayish/yellowish skin color, skin that feels firm or waxy, and numbness.
Actions:
Move inside to a heated location.
Begin warming the affected area by using warm water or body heat.
Do NOT use hot water or radiant heat such as a fire place.
Seek medical attention for severe frostbite.
Hyperthermia
Signs:
Low body temperature, Shivering, Confusion, Difficulty speaking, Sleepiness and Stiff Muscles
Actions:
Move indoors to a heated location.
Begin warming the center of the body first.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If person is unconscious, administer CPR
Severe Hyperthermia
Signs:
Body temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, cold & sluggish feeling, trouble thinking clearly.
Actions:
Call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately.
If you are someone trying to help someone with Hyperthermia, lie close to the person and cover both with a thick blanket and allow your body heat to warm them until paramedics arrive. Do NOT rub the person or handle them roughly. The warmer you are, the more body heat they will receive from you.
Outdoor Activities
People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes. Areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the extremities, such as hands and feet .
Dress for winter. Wear multiple layers of clothing, hat, gloves, boots and a scarf.
Minimize exposure to brisk winds and excessive cold temperatures by avoiding being outdoors in early mornings when it is typically the coldest temp of the day.
Warming Center Information
Need Information on a warming center? Call the Winthrop Harbor Police Department at 847-872-2131