Press Room: The Press-Enterprise
Health authorities urge caution during cold spell
10:02 AM Sat, Dec 13, 2008
Posted by: PE News
With the first significant cold weather of the season arriving today, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health is offering some advice about staying healthy.
"Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause serious or life-threatening health problems," said San Bernardino County Public Health Officer Maxwell Ohikhuare, M.D.
Infants and the elderly are especially at risk. It's important to dress to suit the weather. Shorts and flip-flops may need to retire to the closet for awhile, or at least hide out under some layers of long pants and jackets.
Thin layers of loose-fitting clothes will trap body heat and aid air circulation, health officials said. Outer clothing should be hooded, tightly woven, and water-repellent. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Hats are good -- most body heat is lost through the head.
Travel with caution. Tune in to weather and traffic reports before hitting the road. Make there is food, water and emergency equipment in the vehicle and that it's gassed up.
If snowplay is on the agenda, watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, especially in the very young. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, confusion and loss of muscular control, Ohikhuare said. Frostbite causes loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, tip of nose, and ear lobes. Such symptoms require immediate medical attention, he said.
Avoid strenuous activity in extremely cold temperatures. The body already is working hard just to stay warm, so don't overdo it, the physician said.
Take care of pets as well. Bring them inside during very cold weather, or make sure they have a warm shelter outisde. Ensure that their water is not frozen.
Local cold weather shelters and cold weather vouchers are available by calling the Inland Empire United Way's 2-1-1 toll-free phone number.
For more information about cold weather, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp#health_emergencies
--The Press-Enterprise