With frigid temperatures blanketing the region the Thunder Bay District Health Unit is renewing its frostbite and hypothermia warnings.
Public Health Nurse Judi Martin says a scarf and mitts should be worn at all times.
“Exposed skin at some of the temperatures we have been experiencing, anything below -40C, skin can freeze as little as five minutes,” Martin told CKPR Radio Thursday. “So it’s very important to wear protective clothing all the time.”
She adds that if you notice discoloured and painful areas of skin you should go inside immediately and slowly warm up.
“One of the things that you can do for yourself is to use your own body to help warm your skin,” Martin says. “It’s important not to use any dry or hot heat.”
Because you may be experiencing numbness, the dry or hot heat can be dangerous because you may have trouble feeling what the temperature actually is.
(CKPR Radio)
