Staying warm in polar blast: Morristown police offer weekend tips

Old Man Winter, by Etamme/ Wikimedia.org
Old Man Winter, by Etamme/ Wikimedia.org
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More than ever, this will be a Valentine’s Day for cuddling — for survival, not romance.

Old Man Winter, by Etamme/ Wikimedia.org
Old Man Winter, by Etamme/ Wikimedia.org

The National Weather Service predicts an Arctic front will roar through Greater Morristown late Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015,  plunging wind chill values to 10- to 25-degrees below zero on Sunday and Monday mornings.

Accumulating snow also is possible on Saturday, and again on Tuesday, according to the forecast.

At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Tim Dougherty urged residents, and especially seniors and pet owners, to take precautions against the extreme cold.

“Check on your neighbors. Talk to people,” the Mayor said.

Here are more cold-weather safety tips from town hall, relayed by the Morristown police:

The Town of Morristown wants to ensure that all residents are prepared for upcoming extreme cold weather. Please refer to the Town website at www.TownOfMorristown.org for tips and additional information.

Extreme Cold Weather Tips (Hypothermia & Frostbite)
Thursday, January 08, 2015 at 8:20 AM

The Town of Morristown would like to remind residents of important

Cold Weather tips (Hypothermia & Frostbite)

Recognizing Hypothermia

Highlights from the CDC https://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.asp
•When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
•Low body temperature may make you unable to think clearly or move well.
•You may not know you have hypothermia.
•If your temperature is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.

Warnings signs of hypothermia:

Adults:
•shivering, exhaustion
•confusion, fumbling hands
•memory loss, slurred speech
•drowsiness

Infants:
•bright red, cold skin
•very low energy

What to Do

If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:
•Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
•If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
•Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
•Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
•After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
•Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

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Recognizing Frostbite

Highlights from the CDC: https://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/frostbite.asp
•Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing.
•Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
•Seek medical care if you think you have frostbite.

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:
•a white or grayish-yellow skin area
•skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
•numbness

A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.

What to Do

If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.

If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
•Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
•Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
•Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
•Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
•Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
•Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for cold-weather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.

Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-

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