Peterborough Public Health Issues Sixth Frostbite Alert of the Season

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has issued its sixth frostbite alert this season as wind chill values are forecast to drop below -27°C from 10:00 p.m. Friday and last at least until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.

The first frostbite alert for Peterborough was issued on Jan. 7. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and everyone is encouraged to take precautions to stay safe. Extreme cold temperatures can particularly impact the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems and the marginally housed. There are various emergency shelters available overnight in the City of Peterborough.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions: 

• Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes. 

• Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods. 

• Use caution when shovelling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shovelling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems. 

• Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keeps you dry and further reduces your risk.

PPH has issued the following tips:

• Dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.

• Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and a scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.

• If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you're wet.

Cold related illnesses include:

• Hypothermia: Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

• Frostbite: Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness. Increases in other health problems can also be seen especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Peterborough Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found here or by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and searching for “extreme cold.”

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Peterborough Public Health Issues Second Frostbite Alert Of The Season

Peterborough Public Health has issued the second Frostbite Alert of the season because forecasted wind chill values are expected to drop to -31 °C early Tuesday morning.

Photo by City of Peterborough.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and everyone is encouraged to take precautions to stay safe. Extreme cold temperatures can particularly impact the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed. There are various emergency shelters available overnight in the City of Peterborough.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

• Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes

• Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.

• Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.

• Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Symptoms/signs of frostbite include white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Peterborough Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found here or by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and searching for “extreme cold”.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

First Frostbite Alert of the Season Issued By Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health has issued the first Frostbite Alert of the season because forecasted wind chill values are expected to drop to -28 °C Friday evening and early Saturday morning for a few hours.

East City Peterborough on a cold night. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and everyone is encouraged to take precautions to stay safe. Extreme cold temperatures can particularly impact the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems and the marginally housed. There are various emergency shelters available overnight in the City of Peterborough.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions: 

• Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.

• Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.

• Use caution when shovelling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shovelling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.

• Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keeps you dry and further reduces your risk.

Peterborough Public Health has issued these tips to stay warm:

• Dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.

• Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and a scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.

• If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you're wet.

Cold-related illnesses include:

Hypothermia: Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.

Frostbite: Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness. Increases in other health problems can also be seen especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Peterborough Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found here or by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and searching for “extreme cold”.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

A Frostbite Alert Has Been Issued For Remainder Of Week

It's going to be extremely cold out for the rest of this week. Indeed, Peterborough Public Health has issued the second Frostbite Alert of the season because of forecasted nightly wind chill values of -27 or lower from December 26th to 29th.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.

Local social service agencies rely on Peterborough Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

-> Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
-> Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
-> Use caution when shoveling snow, especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
-> Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Temperatures are expected to rise above Frostbite Alert criteria during the late evening of Friday, December 29th.

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