Exposing your skin to cold temperatures can cause frostbite, but how long does it take for it to appear? (Getty)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Winter weather causes hundreds of injuries every year.
While temperatures in February tend to be higher than in early winter, that doesn't mean you won't get sick from the weather. One key strategy for staying safe is in the cold, Dr. Joe Sells of Baystate Medical Center told 22News.
“You may not realize you're getting dangerously cold, especially for children and older people. The best way to stay safe is to be well prepared.”
Hypothermia and frostbite are common during the winter months, but it's important to stay prepared when temperatures drop. The death rate during the winter months is more than 8 percent higher than in the non-winter months, according to the EPA.
Warning signs of hypothermia
grown ups:
- Trembling and fatigue
- Confusion, fumbling hands
- Memory loss and slurred speech
- Sleepiness
Infants:
- Bright red, cool skin
- Very low power
Warning signs of frostbite
- The skin area is white or gray-yellow
- Skin that feels unusually hard or waxy
- numbness
Hypothermia and frostbite aren't the only things you have to worry about in times of cold weather. Something as simple as shoveling snow can send you to the hospital. Back injuries increase during times of cold weather, as muscle stiffness makes movement more difficult.
Kim D'Angelo of AMR in Springfield noted what people should do if they are injured either shoveling snow or walking the dog, “We always recommend caution. If you have any questions, you can always call 911 and we're happy to come and at least evaluate you and answer any questions You may have.
Increased rates of heart attacks also occur during the winter. Whether it's cold weather or holiday stress, it's best to be safe when it comes to staying warm and healthy.
Jack Wu joined the 22News Storm team in July 2023. Follow Jack on X @the_jackwu View his CV to see more of his work.
