Preventing Frostbite

Wow baby - it is cold outside! With temperatures plunging and wind chills making it feel like - 29c in Easter Ontario, this is just a little reminder to bundle up when heading outside. 

If you have employees that must work outside today make sure you supply them with everything they need, have warm beverages and soup on standby, and make sure they don't stay outside too long. Set a timeline for the day and have them warm up and check in every 15 or 20 minutes depending on the temperature where you are. There is nothing wrong with being a "Mother Hen" when its this cold.

Prevention is the key and being aware of frostbite signs and symptoms can promote quick medical attention and reduction in injury.

The following tips come from the Red Cross: 

Prevent frostbite and hypothermia:

• Wear a hat and clothing made of tightly woven fibers, such as wool, which trap warm air against your body. A few lighter layers protect better than one heavy garment.
• Protect vulnerable areas such as fingers, toes, ears and nose.
• Drink plenty of warm fluids to help the body maintain its temperature.  If hot drinks are not available, drink plenty of plain water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which hinder the body's heat-producing mechanisms and will actually cause the body's core temperature to drop.
• Take frequent breaks from the cold to let your body warm up.

Signs & symptoms of frostbite:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Pain and swelling

  As the condition worsens...

• Total loss of sensation
• Pale waxy skin will become dark bluish
• In severe cases, the skin will look burnt and charred.

Do not delay immediate treatment...be prepared to react and read the entire article here at: http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=20811&tid=068

Stay inside if you can - if not, bundle up and protect yourself! I'm off to have a nice cup of tea!