JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
High winds and extremely cold temperatures are expected to roll into the area Jan. 7, bring the most fridgid weather conditions seen in the last two decades, according to local weather forecasters.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory that begins Jan. 6, at midnight, calling for wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour that will take wind chills into the -5 to -15 degree range. Frostbite and hypothermia will become real threats to anyone outside for extended periods of time.
Forecast updates can be found at
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=MDZ013&zflg=1.
Liberty Park, the company that maintains base housing, recomended residents let their faucets drip and keep their sink cabinet doors open to circulate warm air around them (if the sinks are against an outside wall) to prevent frozen pipes. Frozen pipes often burst and result in leaks and floods when the ice thaws. Those with pipe issues are urged to call the Liberty Park maintenance team at 301-599-1418.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer the following tips for recognizing and treating hypothermia and frostbite:
Hypothermia symptoms
Adults
- shivering, exhaustion
- confusion, fumbling hands
- memory loss, slurred speech
- drowsiness
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°, the situation is an emergency--get medical attention immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:
- Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
- If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
- Warm the center of the body first--chest, neck, head, and groin--using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
- Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
- After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.
A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
Frostbite symptoms
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin--frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite:
- a white or grayish-yellow skin area
- skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- numbness
A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.
What to do
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.
If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows:
- Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes--this increases the damage.
- Immerse the affected area in warm--not hot--water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
- Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
- Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
- Don't use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.
These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for cold-weather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others.
Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems.