Extreme Cold to Develop Tonight. Protect Yourself!
This Post has been archived and its content might be outdated. If you are looking for recent content, please check this Department's Homepage.
Winter in Massachusetts almost always includes periods of extreme cold weather. Exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and has the potential to become life-threatening. Please protect yourself during a Cold Weather Event. Frost Bite and Hypothermia can set in quickly.
Extreme cold can cause cold-related illness, including:
- Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and body tissue.
- Symptoms — Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.
- Treatment — Get the victim into a warm location. Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area. Seek medical attention immediately.
- Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature and is life-threatening.
- Symptoms — Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, and slurred speech.
- Treatment — If symptoms of hypothermia are detected take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, seek medical attention immediately. Get the victim to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or putting on dry clothing. Give them warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the person is conscious.
For more information:
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/extreme-cold-safety-tips