Winter is just around the corner, and it’s time to think about cold weather safety; specifically hypothermia. Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia is particularly dangerous because a person may not know it’s happening. Some signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, and slurred speech.
The CDC offers tips for helping someone who may be experiencing hypothermia, including:
- Get the victim into a warm room or shelter
- If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it
- Warm the center of the body first using an electric blanket, if available
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.