With frigid temperatures descending across the London area into the next week, the Middlesex London Health Unit has issued a Cold Weather Alert.
Officials issued the warning as the forecast calls for flurries this weekend, with wind chill values as low as -18 C on Saturday, and an expected low of -14 C on Sunday.
The cold weather is expected to continue until next Thursday, when the Environment Canada forecast calls for temperatures to increase to a daytime high of -9 C.
The health unit is reminding those planning to spend time outdoors to take precautions and dress accordingly to avoid cold-related injuries.
"The combination of cold weather and strong winds, like those we’ll have over the weekend and next week can have an impact on our bodies; if you don’t dress accordingly, the weather can damage exposed skin and can lead to hypothermia," says Randy Walker, Public Health Inspector with the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
According to the MLHU, symptoms of frostbite include skin turning red, blue or, in later stages, grayish-white. Individuals may have pain, as well as numbness and stiffness in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to warm the affected area by placing it next to warmer skin or immerse it in warm, but not hot, water. The affected area should not be rubbed. In cases of severe, blistering frostbite, medical treatment should be sought.
Symptoms of hypothermia can include pale skin, drowsiness, confusion, and hallucinations. While the initial stages of hypothermia produce shivering, that shivering may decrease as a person’s body temperature drops. The health unit says in severe cases, individuals lose consciousness, their breathing becomes shallow and their pulse becomes irregular and hard to detect.
Anyone who sees a person who is outside and in distress because of the cold is asked to call London CAReS at 519-667-2273. However, if the situation appears to be a medical emergency, 911 should be called.
A full list of warming centres in London can be found here.