Dangers of Extreme Cold

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

While your home can get damaged due to winter weather and extreme cold, your personal health is also at risk. Fifty three people died and three were injured due to extreme cold in 2015.  It is important to be aware of the effect extremely cold temperatures can have on you. The two main conditions to be aware of are frostbite and hypothermia.  Frostbite is caused when your skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Physical symtoms are white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm, or waxy numbness.  Hypothermia is when your body temperature falls to an abnormally low temperature, caused from long exposure to cold weather. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If someone's body temperature is below 95 degrees F, seek medical attention immediately. To avoid these conditions, stay indooors if possible. If not, dress warm in layers and try to keep dry.