The Kent County Health Department is urging West Michigan residents to be cautious as the first wave of extremely cold weather hits West Michigan. Today and tomorrow’s forecast includes very cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills. County Officials are urging you to bundle up, be aware and use caution.
It’s been almost a year since we’ve seen temperatures this cold, and we want the good folks in the county that this can be a dangerous and life threatening situation to get caught out in that cold for any length of time.”
Steve Kelso is the Kent County Marketing and Communications Manager. He says children and the elderly are especially at risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Let’s start with frostbite.
Frost bite is an injury to the body caused by freezing; causes a loss of feeling and color in nose, ears, cheeks and fingers. A victim who has frostbite, doesn’t even know they have it, until someone else points it out because the flesh has gone numb and they don’t even know they’re in pain.”
Kelso says Hypothermia can also cause serious medical issues that might require medical treatment.
Prolonged exposure to the cold will eventually use of your body’s stored energy and that result is hypothermia or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that’s too low affects the brain and makes the victim unable to think clearly or even move well.”
And considering how dangerous this weather can be… Kelso says it’s also a good idea to check on your senior neighbors.
“We really are urging people, if they have elderly neighbors to check in on those folks and make sure they’re ok, that they’re heat is on and that they’re not exhibiting any symptoms of hyperthermia or frostbite.”
For more information about cold weather safety, you can visit, accesskent.com/ health.
