Public Health Issues Frostbite Alert from City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations

Written by admin, December 13, 2013

December 13, 2013 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for Saturday evening (December 14) because of a forecasted wind chill of -30.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed. 

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

• Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
• Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
• Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia: 
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

 

Frostbite:          
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

-30- 

For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391