Stay Safe In Extreme Cold
When the weather is extremely cold, try to stay indoors. If you must go outside, dress properly and know who is at high risk for hypothermia or frostbite.
Places To Go To Get Warm
Places you may visit with to get warm include:
- Shopping Centers
- Retail Stores
- Public Libraries
- Public Offices
- A Friend with Heat
- Community Warming Centers in Winnebago & Boone County
If You Must Be Outside In The Cold
Dress properly by wearing:
- A hat
- A scarf that covers face
- Mittens or gloves
- Water resistant boots
- Water resistant coat
- Several layers of loose fitting clothing
Make sure body parts most often affected by frostbite (nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, fingers) are covered in warm, dry clothing.
Know The Risk of Hypothermia and Frostbite
Hypothermia
- Signs & Symptoms
- Adults:
- shivering
- exhaustion
- confusion
- fumbling hands
- memory loss
- slurred speech
- drowsiness
- Infants:
- bright red, cold skin
- very low energy
- Adults:
If a person’s temperature is below 95° get medical attention immediately
Frostbite
- Signs & Symptoms
- Redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign of frostbite.
- Other signs include:
- a white or grayish-yellow skin area
- skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- numbness
Click here for more information on hypothermia and frostbite from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Protect People, Pets, and Pipes during extreme cold.
- Pipes can freeze even if your home is heated.
- Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
- Let cold water drip from faucets; even a small trickle helps prevent freezing.
