Tips to stay safe during cold weather

January 12, 2009

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Emergency Management has a list of health and safety concerns to be aware of as temperatures drop this week.

Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20° Fahrenheit (F) could cause frostbite in just 15 minutes or less. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear tips or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical care immediately.

Hypothermia is a condition that develops when the body temperature drops below 95°F. It is very deadly. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, slurred speech and drowsiness. Seek medical care immediately.

Overexertion is dangerous. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make an existing medical condition worse.

Pets also need extra care when the temperatures fall. Dogs and cats can get frost bitten ears, nose and feet if left outside during bitter cold weather. Earlier this week, a dog was found frozen to death in Adams County. Pets need appropriate shelter and extra food and water (that is kept thawed) if kept outdoors, however, it may be best during this cold weather to bring them inside where it is warm. Additional pet and livestock winter safety information is available from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Alternative Heat — Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. They produce carbon monoxide which is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that kills more than 500 people every year. Use extra caution when using space heaters. The following information about alternative heat sources is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented.
Do not place a space heater within 3 feet of anything that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture, or bedding, and never cover your space heater.
Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
Have a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher.
Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.

Emergency Kit for Home and Car - To help protect your family now is the time to put together a disaster supply kit. Kits should be located in your home and all vehicles.

Here are some items to include in your home disaster kit: