Snowflakes and freezing temperatures signal that winter is in full swing at the University of Michigan. The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) encourages everyone—students, faculty, staff, and the campus community—to stay prepared and take extra care when braving the cold.
The National Weather Service (NWS) expects temperatures to dip into the single digits during the day and into the negatives at night in the coming days. If the wind speeds increase, these temperatures might also sink even lower.
During these times, it is important to remember to dress appropriately when going outside. This includes wearing layers to stay warm, and keep as much skin covered as possible to help prevent issues like frostbite or hypothermia.
The NWS suggests the following tips to follow during extreme cold weather:
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, and a hat
- Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold
- Try to stay dry and out of the wind
It is also suggested to stay home if possible and avoid going out into the dangerous elements. However, if you do have to go out and face the extreme cold, here are some signs of frostbite and hypothermia to look out for, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
Frostbite victims often are unaware that they have it because the frozen tissue is numb. Signs and symptoms include:
- Redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign of frostbite.
- A white or grayish-yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
Hypothermia often occurs at very cold temperatures, but can occur at cool temperatures (above 40°F), if a person is wet and becomes chilled. This can include the following symptoms:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
The CDC also recommends that medical attention should be sought for anyone that has their body temperature drop below 95 degrees.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms and thinks it may be frostbite or hypothermia, call DPSS at (734)763-1311 or 911.
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