Cold spell advice from Public Health

As the region prepares for what looks an extended period of extreme cold with wind chill factors of between - 28° and - 39° C, public health officials are warning the public to take extra precautions to avoid frostbite over the next several days.

"At temperatures below -40° C, skin freezes in less than 10 minutes,” says Dr. Eric Lampron-goulet of the Public Health Department. “Avoid prolonged exposure to intense cold, which can cause significant loss of body heat and lead to health hazards, including hypothermia, frostbite or the worsening of certain chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.”

To assist in avoiding injury, the department has issued the following guidelines:

People most vulnerable to cold

• The elderly

• People with chronic diseases (heart and respiratory)

• Newborns and young children

• People with reduced mobility

• People who are not aware of the danger or who are not acclimatized to a northern climate

• People working outside and the homeless

• People who practice winter sports over a long period Precautions

• Wear warm, dry clothing that covers as much of the body as possible, including the head and extremities.

• Remain indoors, in a warm and well insulated place.

• Limit outings, especially for young children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, especially when it is 27 and below (including wind chill).

• Be vigilant with heating installations, particularly those with wood or gas.

For more information consult the www.santeestrie.qc.ca/accueil/ webpage