Extreme Cold

• East Elgin Community Complex: 519-773-5631

• Malahide Community Place: 519-765-4755

• Timken Centre: 519-633-7112
• St. Thomas Public Library: 519-631-6050
• St. Thomas Seniors Centre: 519-633-2850
• Inn Out of the Cold - Central United Church: 519-637-9898

• West Elgin Community Health Centre: 519-768-1715

The Inn (formerly Inn Out of the Cold) offers shelter to homeless adults during the winter months at Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 723 Dundas Street, Woodstock.

People arriving after 11:00 p.m. must be accompanied by police. The Inn can be contacted through Operation Sharing or directly at  519-537-3912.

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.

• 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 "windbreaking" 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

• 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 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.

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.

• 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

• 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 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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.