Cold Weather Alert–London/Middlesex–Tips on Keeping warm

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Today was the first day of school after the Christmas Break and I think I was more excited to have the kids go back to school then they were.  Kids being kids (and my being teens) getting to go back to sleep after finding out that school was cancelled this morning was a blessing!

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The kids were out this afternoon shovelling the driveway and making it easier for hubby to get into the driveway.  There were out there just long enough to get the job done and then they quickly came it. 

I did see that the TVDSB and the  London District Catholic School Board have both issued Cold Weather Alert.  They are reminding parents that kids should be dressed very warmly and they are encouraging you to drive your kids to school if they usually walk to school.  The wind chill is so bitter that kids could get frostbite in a matter of minutes.

The LDCSB also requested that the school principals let the children enter the school as soon as they arrive and have both short and lunch recesses indoors.

Hypothermia and Frostbite are very real dangers when we have such cold weather.  The London Middlesex Health Unit issued advisory of the signs and symptoms of both:

“Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops below normal. Symptoms may include pale skin, lethargy, confusion and hallucinations. Individuals may shiver a lot in the early stages of hypothermia, but shivering may decrease as their body temperature continues to drop. In severe cases of hypothermia individuals lose consciousness, their breathing becomes shallow and their pulse becomes irregular and hard to detect. Anyone found with these symptoms requires immediate emergency medical treatment in order to prevent coma or death.

Frostbite can also occur in skin that is overexposed to the cold. Symptoms include skin turning red, blue or a gray/white. Individuals may also experience pain, numbness and stiffness, especially in the fingers, toes, ears and nose, which are most susceptible to the cold. If you suspect frostbite, warm the affected area by placing it next to warmer skin or immerse in warm, but not hot, water. Do not rub the affected area, and seek emergency medical treatment for cases of severe, blistering frostbite. The re-warming process may take up to 60 minutes.”

Cold-related injuries can be avoided by following these cold weather safety tips found on the Niagara Region website:

• Cover exposed skin (exposed skin can become frostbitten in 30 seconds)
• Wear a hat (up to 40 per cent of body heat loss can occur through the head)
• Wear gloves or mittens, and a scarf to protect the chin, lips, and cheeks
• Canadian Paediatric Society recommends keeping children indoors if the temperature falls below -25 C, or if the wind chill is -28 C or greater
• Drink warm fluids – but not caffeinated or alcoholic beverages as they cause your body to lose heat more rapidly
• Wear clothes in layers to include an inner layer, middle layer, and outer layer
• Keep moving. Limit time sitting – stand up and move around.
• Take shelter from the wind – this can reduce wind chill exposure
• Use caution when shovelling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shovelling strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
• Always be alert for signs of frostbite and hypothermia

Bundle up people…

‘Cause Baby, its cold outside

That’s right… it feels like -37

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