Deadliest Record-Breaking Cold Weather Is Dangerous

Photo Credit: Medicentres.com

Today's post is in response to the dangerous cold and record-breaking weather that is upon approximately 110 million people!

I am currently one of those people in the path of this polar vortex weather, and I am not happy. Midwesterners are tough, rugged and live through a lot of weather extremes, however, what is predicted to come for the next two days is just dangerous.

A little less than half of the North American continent has an extreme weather forecast right now and in the next week or so. My area tomorrow is predicted to be in the -50 (negative temps) to possible -60's !. The sub-zero temps are here already, but tonight and tomorrow will be excruciating!

A meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center is passing along information right now telling the American public the exposed skin in that kind of extreme will take only a matter of seconds to frostbite and cause hypothermia.

According to the Mayo Clinic   (see  their definition written below)

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C)

*Please know that shivering and reduced circulation are the first stages of hypothermia.

*Frostbite is damage to tissues from freezing. Formation of ice crystals actually forms in the cells, rupturing the cells and eventually causing those cells to die.  (*according to medicinenet.com)
Frostbite goes through stages Ist degree, 2nd degree, and then 3rd & 4th-degree injury.

*Please understand that these conditions are serious! This can happen to an individual in a matter of seconds.

The warning for these areas are serious DO NOT go out if you don't have to!  If you are out, please dress warmly. Several thin layers are advised under very warm outer ware. Protect your ears, your hands and your feet as extremities are often the first to get frostbite.

*Please if you are going out, please have a backup plan in case of an emergency. Make sure you pack your car with essentials, food, water, blankets, flashlight, and back-up phone battery. Please tell loved ones or friends where you are going so that they can check on you.

*If you know someone who is elderly or disabled please check on them! And then double check on them again.

*Please know the emergency numbers for your city, please check on where the nearest warming shelter is located in your town. Extreme wind and frozen outdoor lines have caused outages in the past. Being without heat is very dangerous.

*Please remember your pets will feel this cold as well. Take care of them the way you would yourself. Very short periods outside, cover them in coats and booties if you have them. Dogs will shiver and if they do this, this means they are cold.

Photo Credit: startribune.com

*Some tips for indoor warmth and safety :

Here's a very short list of a couple of quick things,

.make sure your furnace filter is clean
.make sure your flue is open and that your fireplace chimney has been cleaned of creosote
.open cabinet doors under the kitchen sink
.drip faucets hot  and cold  (especially if wall faces to outside)
.keep the garage door closed
.run ceiling fans low and in reverse, this flushes hot air up

Whatever you do, CHECK YOUR BEAUTY at the door because no one needs to look pretty to save your own life ~put on those ugly boots and hats and lastly CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE at the door as well, because just because you think weather-related injuries or even death can't happen to you, they could.  Keep your guard up and be safe out there my friends.



Be Safe!

Photo credit: Amazon.ca