London, ON – The London region is getting an overdue dose of winter this week, first with yesterday’s snow and now with the frigid cold air mass moving into the area in its wake. As a result of the Environment Canada forecast issued for the next few days, the Medical Officer of Health has issued the second local Cold Weather Alert of 2016. The Alert will come into effect this evening as temperatures drop below -15C, dropping to an overnight low of -20C with windchill values of -29 and will remain in effect until Sunday morning, when the temperature is expected to reach a daytime high of -10C.

“Winter has been relatively mild so far, so we may have become a little complacent about the cold and aren’t taking the health risks that winter presents as seriously as we should,” says Randy Walker, Public Health Inspector with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “When it’s this chilly, it’s best to limit time spent outdoors, but if you have to be outside it’s important to dress in layers and cover exposed skin, which can be damaged easily by the cold. For people who are outside for longer periods in these conditions, there’s a greater risk of more serious injuries, like frostbite and hypothermia.”

Frostbite can occur in skin that is overexposed to the cold. Symptoms include skin turning red, blue or 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.

Hypothermia occurs when a person’s core body temperature drops below normal, and can result from spending time in the cold. 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 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 emergency medical treatment in order to prevent coma or death.

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 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570

Spokesperson:
Randy Walker, Public Health Inspector