London, ON – Another deep freeze is poised to descend on London and Middlesex County. The Environment Canada forecast is calling for the mercury to plunge to -16 degrees C tonight and to drop even further to a low of -26 degrees C overnight Thursday. As a result, the Medical Officer of Health has issued the region’s fifth Cold Weather Alert of 2014. This latest Cold Weather Alert comes into effect this afternoon and will continue until Monday, March 3rd.

“Even though the calendar says we’re past winter’s halfway mark, the return of mild spring temperatures are still weeks away. We’re getting a reminder this week that no amount of wishful thinking is going to keep you warmer than a good jacket, toque and gloves,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We can’t downplay the health risks associated with extreme cold temperatures. Dressing in layers and covering exposed skin are still the best ways to prevent frostbite, hypothermia and other cold-related injuries.”

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.

The Health Unit is also advising local agencies that provide shelter and assistance to homeless people to prepare for an increase in demand for their services. Members of the public who would like to help are asked to drop off donations of non-perishable foods, blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing to the following locations:

• Men’s Mission and Rehabilitation Centre, 459 York Street
• The Salvation Army Centre of Hope, 281 Wellington Street
• Unity Project, 717 Dundas Street

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)

Spokesperson:
Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit