Created on Thursday, 15 January 2009 14:33
Contact: Collette DuValle, 317-373-2391
HEALTH DEPARTMENT WARNS BITTER COLD CALLS FOR APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS
Dangerously cold temperatures and a bitter wind will combine to create dangerous conditions in Marion County through Friday afternoon.
Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are vulnerable to the health impact of conditions like those predicted for tonight and tomorrow.
Children are at additional risk for hypothermia because their bodies tend to respond differently to the cold. Their ability to regulate body temperature differs because their bodies have less surface area. Children are less likely to dress for the conditions without adult supervision.
Dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm in the cold. Also, it is critically important to wear a hat since most body heat is lost through the head.
The Marion County Health Department encourages anyone going out tonight and tomorrow to dress warmly, ensure no skin is exposed to the cold and that children are adequately prepared for being outside when going to school.
The symptoms of hypothermia include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
Frostbite occurs when the body’s tissues freeze. Warning signs include skin turning gray, white or yellow. A numb, waxy feeling also is a warning sign of frostbite. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms develop.
