London, ON – With the current Environment Canada forecast calling for temperatures to drop to -15°C tonight, and continued lows near -20°C expected through the rest of the week, the Medical Officer of Health is extending Middlesex-London’s sixth Cold Weather Alert of 2015 until Monday, February 23rd.

“After some bitterly cold weather this past weekend, our region will continue to experience some of the coldest February weather on record this week. So we’re extending our current Cold Weather Alert until next Monday,” says Iqbal Kalsi, Manager of Environmental Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “While a lot of residents are getting the message about dressing for the conditions and covering exposed skin, many people are still not taking the necessary precautions against frostbite and hypothermia.”

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
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)

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