London, ON – After a brief respite from the extreme cold temperatures which have provided a frigid start to 2015, the deep chill of winter returns to the London and Middlesex County area this evening. With the Environment Canada forecast calling for tonight’s overnight low to dip to -16 degrees C and temperatures expected to stay close to -15 degrees C tomorrow with windchill values close to -25, the Medical Officer of Health has issued the Middlesex-London’s fifth Cold Weather Alert of 2015. This Alert comes into effect this evening and will continue until Friday, February 6th, when the daytime high is expected to reach -6 degrees C.

“With five Cold Weather Alerts in the first five weeks of the year, the public is aware of how to dress and plan for the weather. They’ve been bundling up, dressing in layers and covering exposed skin, which are great ways to avoid injuries due to the cold,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “It’s important not to take the cold for granted, while it can cause damage to skin quickly, the long term effects of hypothermia can have more severe consequences.”

Hypothermia is a condition which 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 however shivering may decrease as core 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 with these symptoms requires immediate emergency medical treatment in order to prevent coma or death.

Frostbite is a condition which occurs when skin is exposed to extremely cold conditions. Signs and symptoms of frostbite include skin turning red or blue, and even a gray/white colour in later stages. Individuals may also experience pain, numbness and stiffness in their 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 the area in warm, but not hot, water. The re-warming process may take up to 60 minutes. Do not rub affected areas, and seek emergency medical treatment for severe, blistering frostbite.

The Health Unit is also advising local agencies that provide shelter and assistance to the homeless 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