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Extreme Cold

Home...Environmental HealthWeather AlertsExtreme Cold
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Thermometer reading below zero in a snow bank

When is a cold weather alert issued?

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) issues extreme cold warnings when Environment Canada forecasts the temperature, with or without windchill, to reach -30˚C for at least two hours. Weather alerts are posted to our social media channels. 

Warming centres and shelters

Elgin County

Aylmer
East Elgin Community Complex
531 Talbot St W, Aylmer ON 
Phone: 519-773-5631
Family Central
62 Talbot St East, Aylmer, ON 
Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 1:00pm
Malahide

Malahide Community Place
12105 Whittaker Rd, Springfield ON
Phone: 519-765-4755

St. Thomas

St. Thomas Seniors Centre
Phone: 519-633-2850

The INN (formerly Inn Out of the Cold)
Overnight Shelter:
10 Princess Avenue, St Thomas
Open 24 hours, 7 days per week
Phone: 519-637-9898 

Drop-in Centre
Joe Thorton Community Centre, St. Thomas
Monday to Saturday - NOON - 5:00PM
Sunday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Phone: 519-637-9898

West Elgin

West Elgin Community Health Centre
153 Main St SS 1, West Lorne ON
Phone: 519-768-1715

Oxford County

Woodstock and Area

The Inn
Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church
723 Dundas Street, Woodstock ON

The Inn (formerly Inn Out of the Cold) offers shelter to homeless adults during the winter months.
People arriving after 11:00 p.m. must be accompanied by police. The Inn can be contacted directly at 519-537-3912.

The Salvation Army in Woodstock 
The Salvation Army in Woodstock’s Emergency Housing also provides temporary housing to families for a period of up to six weeks. This program can be reached by calling 519 532-2649 and leaving a message.

 

For more information on emergency shelters, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ontario.ca.

Staying warm in cold weather

During a cold weather alert, residents should take precautions to protect themselves from the cold to avoid complications such as frostbite and hypothermia.

Dress in layers
  • Inner Layer - should be natural fibres (wicking material) to draw moisture away from the skin
  • Middle Layer - should be the insulating layer to prevent loss of body heat 
  • Outer Layer - should be a "wind-breaking" nylon shell to keep wind out
  • Wear a hat - 40% of body heat escapes through the head
  • Wear a neck warmer and mittens
  • Wear insulated boots that do not cut off circulation and allow you to wiggle your toes around
  • Carry extra socks and gloves, and change if your current pairs get wet
  • Change into dry clothing as soon as you can when you are done your activity
Protect your skin
  • Cover exposed skin to avoid frostbite
  • Apply an oil-free moisturizer to prevent dry skin
  • Apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher. The reflection of sun off snow may intensify the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. 
Drink fluids
  • Drink warm fluids to avoid dehydration
  • Remember that drinks containing caffeine or alcohol can dehydrate. Natural fruit juices and water can help the body to recover.
Avoid alcohol

Alcohol changes the way blood flows around your body. It makes the body lose heat faster and gives a false sensation of being warm. Only one or two drinks can reverse the body's defense against hypothermia.

Get rest
Cold weather may tire a person more quickly. Take occasional rest breaks. If you get overtired you are more likely to get frostbite or have an accident.

Who is most vulnerable to cold weather?

Those who are most vulnerable to the effects of the cold weather included: older adults, infants and young children, outdoor workers, individuals who like outdoor sports such as skiing and hiking, and homeless persons and others who do not have shelter, proper clothing or food.

Frost Bite

Signs and symptoms of frostbite
  • Fingers, toes, ears and noses are most susceptible
  • Affected areas turn pink in colour
  • Area will become painful
  • White, waxy patches will show as frostbite continues
  • Area will begin to feel numb
Treatment of frostbite
  • To treat frostbite, warm by placing affected area next to warmer skin or immerse in WARM, NOT HOT WATER
  • Don’t rub, this can cause more damage
  • Re-warming may take 30 – 60 minutes
  • Go to the hospital emergency department for a severe (blistering, white or grey-coloured patches, numbness in the area) case of frostbite 

Hypothermia

What is hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a condition that occurs from overexposure to cold.  A person’s body temperature falls below normal.

Normal body temperature ranges from 36.1 to 37.8°C (97 to 100°F).  Oxygen to the brain is less when body temperature drops.

Signs and symptoms of hypothermia
  • As body temperature drops, consciousness begins to get clouded.
  • The person is pale and lethargic, appears confused or disoriented, and may hallucinate. 
  • In the beginning stages of hypothermia, the person shivers a lot, but as body temperature decreases, shivering actually decreases.  This may give people a false sense of well being. 
  • Persons with these symptoms must be kept warm and be taken immediately to hospital. 
  • Infants will have cold reddish skin and low energy.
Treatment of hypothermia
  • Move the person to a warm area. Remove any wet clothing and dress warmly, wrap in blankets.
  • Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Offer a warm beverage if the person is alert.
  • Do not offer alcohol or hot drinks. Do not give drinks to an unconscious person.
What happens when severe cases of hypothermia occur?

In severe hypothermia (body temperature below 30°C or 86°F) the person becomes unconscious, breathing is shallow and pulse is irregular or hard to detect. 

If someone is found with these symptoms, call for immediate emergency medical treatment.

Who is at risk for getting hypothermia?
  • Healthy individuals exposed to cold weather or conditions for long periods of time are at risk for hypothermia. 
  • Elderly persons and infants under 1 year of age are most at risk. Infants are particularly susceptible if they are premature or small for their age. 
  • The homeless, sport enthusiasts and outdoor workers are also at risk.
How can I prevent hypothermia?

The best way to prevent hypothermia is not to stay in an unheated home, but to move to a warm place.  People who remain in unheated homes should make sure that their head, hands and feet are well covered and dry. Physical activity releases heat through the body so keep moving!

Wear clothes in layers, drink warm fluids (not alcohol) and wear a hat and mittens. Also be sure a scarf or neck wrap covers the chin, lips and cheeks.

Learn more

Get more more information on Public Weather Warnings and Windchill Index.

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