Stay Safe When Extreme Cold Weather Arrives This Winter
Written by Communications, December 2, 2019
Peterborough Public Health Activates Extreme Cold Response Plan
With an early start to the winter and colder weather ahead, Peterborough Public Health has activated its Extreme Cold Response Plan (ECRP) to advise residents on the best way to protect their health when temperatures plummet.
“We all need to take precautions during cold weather to prevent injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Most healthy people can tolerate a short period of cold weather if they are dry and properly dressed. Our alert system is designed to advise the public when there is an increased risk and what actions they can take to prevent cold weather-related injuries.”
Dr. Salvaterra noted that populations that are more vulnerable to the risks of cold temperatures include the elderly, infants (under one year), people with a history of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes, and people who are homeless or marginally housed. People who are homeless in particular spend long periods of time outside and can suffer increased health effects from the cold even at warmer temperatures. She added that between 2003 and 2019 there were a total of 389 visits to local Emergency Departments due to exposure from excessive cold, and that the local hospitals see an average of 23 people each year for this reason.
Peterborough Public Health’s ECRP has three levels of notification:
- Frostbite Alert
- Frostbite Warning
- Cold Weather Emergency
The most common form of extreme cold notification is a Frostbite Alert. Last season, there were four Frostbite Alerts issued. Frostbite alerts are issued when temperatures are forecasted to be from -27ºC to -38ºC or a wind chill of -27 to
-38. In these conditions, exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes. Residents are advised to take the following precautions:
- cover unprotected skin
- avoid prolonged outdoor exposure
- drink warm fluids
- watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia
- check on neighbours
- maintain a warm indoor environment (ideally 20C or warmer)
For details about other extreme cold notifications, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and search for “extreme cold”.
Cold weather, combined with wind, can cause serious injuries or even death. Peterborough Public Health monitors the forecasted weather conditions from December 1 to April 1 each year. The ECRP defines a series of cold weather thresholds that trigger Peterborough Public Health to notify the general public, healthcare providers and community service providers of appropriate measures they can take to reduce the risk of cold weather injuries for themselves and the vulnerable populations they serve.
Notifications of frostbite alerts and warnings will be posted on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and Peterborough Public Health’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as issued to the media and stakeholder groups when the forecasted temperature or wind chill may result in an increased risk of frostbite. Most townships and Curve Lake First Nation post extreme weather alerts on their websites and social media channels.
City Social Services also has a Cold Weather Protocol that takes effect in cold weather, which may trigger extended hours of operation for shelter services. When Social Services activates their Cold Weather Protocol they will share information regarding the locations and times of emergency shelters and any relevant outreach programs, as well as reminders about visiting public locations such as malls to get out of the cold during periods of extreme cold. A cold alert will be issued by Social Services when the temperature drops below -15 with a wind chill. One Roof Community Centre drop-in at 99 Brock St. will extend their hours of operation during a cold alert from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Normal hours of operation during the winter are from 12 noon – 7:00 p.m. The current temporary overflow shelter for the City of Peterborough is located at the Public Library at Aylmer and is open nightly from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Peterborough Public Health recognizes that other community organizations may have developed their own internal policies and procedures for dealing with extreme cold for the population they are serving (i.e. school boards, and day care providers). Community agencies and partners that would like direct notification from us in the event of an extreme cold alert should contact the Communications Manager at 705-743-1000, ext. 391.
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For further information, please contact:
Julie Ingram
Manager, Environmental Health
705-743-1000, ext. 351