Emergency Room Manager Explains Best Practices For Staying Warm In Frigid Temperatures

Doctors say cold temperatures impacting Green Country can have a drastic impact on your health.  

The emergency room manager at Hillcrests Medical Center says if you must be outside in these cold temperatures, wear layers and bundle up 

Steven Barnes with the Hillcrest Healthcare System said they see more people with cold exposure coming into the ER.

Barnes said they see many people who have hypothermia and frostbite during this time. He says it’s best to avoid wearing wet clothing and always have a change of warm, dry clothing.  

Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, lack of coordination, changes in skin color in your hands and ears, and slurred speech. Frostbite happens when people are out for long periods and it impacts the feeling in your fingers and toes. One might also see swelling and blistering. 

Barnes says ice also leads to people breaking bones, hurting their hips and more head injuries. He urges people to stay in, but if you must be out, be careful. 

“One of the things you know that we recommend is if you don’t have to get out, try to stay in your house but unfortunately, sometimes we do have to get out in this type of weather. Some things to remember you want to layer your clothing. The main thing is you want to prepare,” Barnes said.  

Barnes says if you’re out in the elements, remember to protect your hands and feet and try to retain as much body heat as possible. 

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What are the symptoms of hypothermia?

Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, lack of coordination, changes in skin color in your hands and ears, and slurred speech.

What is frostbite?

Frostbite happens when people are out in the cold for long periods of time and impacts the feeling in your fingers and toes. You may also see swelling and blistering.

Barnes says ice also leads to people breaking bones, hurting their hips and more head injuries. He urges people to stay in, but if you must be out, be careful.

“Layer your clothing. Again, you want to protect your really the extremities, mainly your hands and feet. You want to keep your head covered and retain the body heat," Barnes explains.

He says it’s best to avoid wearing wet clothing and always have a change of warm, dry clothing ready if you have to be outside for work.