Tips to prevent hypothermia during cold snaps

The risk of hypothermia rises as temperatures drop. and older adults are its main victims.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Hypothermia happens when the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, just a few degrees less than the normal body temperature.

It can be fatal. And older adults are its main victims.

The Alabama Department of Public Health wants you to know how to protect yourself in cold weather. When exposed to cold temperatures, our bodies begin to lose heat faster than it can be produced. This results in abnormally low body temperature called hypothermia. The risk is even higher when an older person has a chronic condition that affects the circulatory or neurologic systems, or the thyroid.

When the core temperature falls, bodily functions shut down.

How can you prevent hypothermia?

To provide protection, older adults’ living spaces should be heated to at least 65 degrees F. Check in on older neighbors, friends. and relatives. They should wear warm clothing, have plenty of warm blankets available, and limit trips outside if it is cold, especially if it is windy or wet.

Dress in multiple layers to help retain body heat.

Limit your time outdoors; remove wet clothing immediately.

Watch for signs of hypothermia in babies, people drinking alcohol, and others.

Call for emergency help immediately if you suspect someone has hypothermia; keep the victim warm until assistance arrives.

Who else is at risk for hypothermia?

Besides age, other risk factors are substance abuse and mental impairment. According to ADPH, some commonly used drugs such as tranquilizers may contribute to the onset of hypothermia. Also, many deaths from hypothermia are complicated by alcohol consumption, which can lead to dehydration and impaired judgment. Mental impairment, whatever the cause, may lead to decisions that increase a person's risk.

What are other cold weather risks?

Did you know that cold weather brings food safety risks?

As much as you may want to take advantage of the "natural refrigerator" in cold weather, don't. Michigan State University Extension says it's a bad idea to store perishable food outdoors.

"Storing perishable foods placed outdoors, in a garage, on a balcony or patio exposes them to fluctuating temperatures. Allowing food to be held at inconsistent temperatures increases the risk of foodborne illness when food is later consumed. Sunlight possesses another threat to safely maintain temperature control for foods – especially on a patio or balcony."

Power outages bring additional risks. As a general rule, a full upright or chest freezer will keep foods frozen for about two days without power. A partially full freezer will keep foods frozen for about one day. This time may be extended by keeping the door shut. A refrigerator will keep foods cool for four to six hours if the door is kept shut as much as possible.

And it the food gets warm? Discard any thawed foods that have been at room temperature for more than two hours. Foods still containing ice crystals can be refrozen. Foods that have thawed to refrigerator temperatures (that is, no more than 40 degrees F) can also be cooked and then refrozen.

How to stay warm...safely

ADPH says that during times of power outages following winter storms, many people use items that can produce carbon monoxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms and ultimately lead to coma and death. Exposure to odorless, colorless carbon monoxide is responsible for more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent.

If a generator is used, be sure to follow these safety tips:

Place generators as far away from the home as possible. People have had carbon monoxide poisoning from generators as far away as 30 feet away from the house.

Never hook up the generator to the home’s normal wiring. Improper wiring of a home generator can create backfeed in the electrical wires to the house and could injure or kill utility workers repairing the electrical lines.

Have a carbon monoxide monitor with fresh batteries in it and place it in the house high on a wall. Carbon monoxide is lighter than air and rises towards the ceiling.

Many risks are associated with the use of fuel-burning appliances in enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. These include camping stoves, portable propane gas stoves and charcoal grills used in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. The fumes are deadly.

Are you using space heaters? Click here for space heater safety tips.