London, ON – The coldest weather of 2015 so far will bring a deep chill to the Valentines Day / Family Day long weekend. The current Environment Canada forecast is calling for temperatures to drop to -15 degrees C this afternoon with wind chill values approaching -30. With daytime lows expected to dip to the -20 degree C range for the next few days with bitterly cold wind chill values, the Medical Officer of Health has issued the Middlesex-London’s sixth Cold Weather Alert of the year. This Alert comes into effect this afternoon and will continue until Tuesday, February 17th, when the daytime high is expected to reach -8 degrees C.

“Heading into the long weekend, it’s important to consider the weather if you’re planning outdoor activities like skating, skiing or sledding. Spending the day enjoying the outdoors is great, as long as you plan for the conditions,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Environmental Health Manager at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “The best ways to stay healthy and safe is to limit the time you’re in the cold, dress in warm layers and cover exposed skin.”

The weather we’re expecting can cause serious injury through hypothermia and frostbite.

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, 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