Hypothermia Alert Issued In Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Montgomery County issued a Hypothermia Alert Wednesday, as very cold temperatures are predicted by the National Weather Service.

The Hypothermia Alert will run until 6 p.m. Wednesday, the County said. Residents can expect a mix of rain and snow before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph, the National Weather Service says. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Montgomery County issues a Hypothermia Alert when the actual or forecasted temperature, including wind chill, falls below 20 degrees creating a hazardous situation in which hypothermia and frostbite are likely.

Outreach program providers encourage individuals who are homeless to seek shelter. All Montgomery County facilities, such as libraries, recreation centers, and senior centers are open during their regular hours for use by anyone needing an escape from the cold. Public shopping centers are also available as warm locations during their hours of operation.

Neighbors, friends or family members are encouraged to check on the elderly, especially a senior living alone. Montgomery County provides a variety of sheltering opportunities for the homeless.

Alert Montgomery:

For timely severe weather and emergency notifications, go to this site and sign up for Alert Montgomery. Warnings and emergency updates will be sent directly to your cell phone (text), landline phone, computer (Twitter & Facebook) and/or email address. The service is free, but text charges may apply, so check with your cell phone carrier before selecting text alerts.

Hypothermia:

Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as the very young, seniors, those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live in a home that is poorly insulated and/or without heat. Hypothermia can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. When the body's store of energy is used up, the result is hypothermia. Because hypothermia can affect the brain, a person may not be aware that it is happening, and not take appropriate steps to prevent damage.

Warning Signs:

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• For infants – bright red, cold skin, very low energy

What to do:

• If you notice any of these signs, take the person's temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an emergency – get medical attention immediately
• If the person is unconscious and does not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing, call 9-1-1

Prior to medical care:

• Get victim into a warm room or shelter
• Remove any wet clothing
• Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head and groin – using electric blanket if available, or use skin-to-skin-contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels or sheets
• Warm, nonalcoholic, beverages can help increase body temperatures if the victim is conscious

Frostbite:

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, typically the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers or toes. Signs of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numbness.

What to do:

• Get into a warm area as soon as possible
• Immerse the affected area in warm, but not hot, water
• Warm the affected area using body heat
• Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming
• Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes if at all possible
• Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it in any fashion

Outdoor Safety:

Try to stay indoors, and make trips outside as brief as possible. Limit outdoor recreational activity. Outdoor cold weather exertion puts extra strain on the heart.

• Wear hat, scarf or mask to cover face and mouth
• Sleeves should be snug at the wrist
• Mittens are warmer than gloves
• Several layers of loose-fitting clothing should be worn under a heavy coat

Indoor Safety:

If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater, be extremely careful. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or similar devices indoors, inside a garage, or near the air intake of your house because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Only use combustion heaters if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space
• Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything that may catch fire, such as drapes, furniture or bedding
• Do not use an extension cord

Vehicle Safety:

During cold winter weather, keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Make sure there is adequate antifreeze. Never leave a person of any age alone in a vehicle. Have extra blankets and supplies in case of a breakdown.

Residents can call 301-279-8000 to report a concern for homeless individuals or animals outdoors.

Photo via Montgomery County