As a freezing rain warning continues to blanket the region, health officials in Lambton County have also issued a cold weather alert.
A Cold Weather Alert is issued when one or more of the following is met:
- Daily, low temperature is predicted to be -15°C or below, without a wind chill value.
• Environment Canada issues a wind chill warning for Lambton County.
• Extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard or ice storm, are predicted.
Lambton Public Health (LPH) advises local agencies that provide shelter and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness to prepare for an increase in demand during the Cold Weather Alert. All residents should take precautions by dressing in layers, shielding exposed areas from the wind such as head, neck, and face, and limiting time spent outdoors.
Overexposure to cold can be hazardous and even life-threatening. Hypothermia, which can strike in any season, occurs when the body’s temperature drops below the normal range between 36.1°C and 37.8°C (97°F and 100°F). Symptoms may include pale skin, lethargy, confusion, excessive shivering and hallucinations.
For more information on severe cold weather and the risks involved including hypothermia, frostbite and how to avoid them, please visit LambtonPublicHealth.ca.
