Cold Weather Injuries

Cold Weather Injuries

Living in North Carolina, we do not have the severe winter temperatures that they do in Alaska, but it still gets cold. This winter protect yourself and your family from injuries caused by cold temperatures including hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia occurs when you are exposed too long to cold temperatures and your body temperature drops dangerously low (below 95º). This condition can be fatal. Hypothermia is a greater risk in windy, cold conditions when a person has been physically active and has used up stores of energy. Children and the elderly have a greater risk for experiencing hypothermia.

However, hypothermia doesn’t just occur when someone is outdoors. Hypothermia can develop over time, from a few days to several weeks, at indoor temperatures from 60-65º - especially in the elderly. Elderly people are more susceptible because often their bodies do not adjust to changes in temperature and they just don’t realize they’re gradually getting colder.

Signs of hypothermia are gradual physical and mental slowdown that could lead to coma. Early signs include clumsiness, irritability, sleepiness, confusion, poor judgment and slurred speech.

Frostbite is another potential winter-weather hazard. Frostbite is a gradual freezing of the skin and surrounding tissues and can affect any part of the body but your hands, feet, nose and ears are most vulnerable. When parts of the body get too cold, the body conserves its heat for vital areas by shutting off circulation to other areas, like fingers, toes, ears and noses, and the tissues begin to freeze.

Prevent frostbite by dressing in layers, including extra socks and layered gloves or mittens. A number of thinner, layered garments keep you warmer than one thick garment because the layers trap insulating air between them. Wool is always a good choice for warmth. Wear windproof and waterproof outerwear made from materials such as Gore-tex that will keep you dry.

Be sure to wear a hat or other head covering. A huge amount of body heat is lost through your head. Be sure to protect your ears, too. Protect your feet by wearing boots that are big enough to accommodate extra socks and still allow you to wiggle your toes. If you or your child’s boots or shoes are too tight, it restricts circulation, which is a major causes of frostbitten feet.

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