Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
AUGUSTA — The Maine Emergency Management Agency reminds Mainers to use extreme caution to avoid hypothermia, frostbite or even death in cold weather this winter. The agency offers the following tips to stay safe:
What You Can Do to Prevent Hypothermia
* Dress in layers.
* Wear a warm hat – 30 percent of heat loss is through the head.
* Wear a scarf and gloves.
* Infants should be in a room in which the temperature is 61-68 degrees fahrenheit.
* Drink plenty of fluids and warm/hot drinks.
* Eat regular balanced meals to give you energy – good nutrition is important.
* Keep active when it’s cold, but not to the point where you’re sweating.
* Keep dry and change out of wet clothes as soon as possible.
* Cut down on alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, since all three cause heat loss.
* Try to keep one room in the house warm.
* Ask your doctor if you are on any medications that affect your ability to maintain a steady body temperature (such as neuroleptic medications and sedative hypnotics).
Symptoms of hypothermia include:
* Decreased consciousness, sleepiness, confusion, and/or disorientation
* Shivering, pale or blue skin, numbness, poor coordination, slurred speech
* In severe hypothermia, shivering decreases or goes away, and the person becomes unconscious and has very shallow breaths.
Winter Driving Tips and Holiday Travel
If you plan to travel in extremely cold temperatures, keep an eye on weather reports and plan accordingly.
* To avoide carbon monoxide poisoning, never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area such as a garage.
* Make sure tires are properly inflated and in good condition.
* Check windshield wiper fluid.
* Ensure the vehicle is clear of all ice and snow.
* Never mix radial tires with other types of tires.
* Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid the gas line freezing up or running out of gas and becoming stranded.
* Bring a fully-charged cellphone and program roadside assistance numbers.
* If you become stranded in your vehicle, stay with the vehicle and tie a brightly-colored cloth to the antenna or use other distress signal.
* Run the engine and heater just long enough to remove chill to conserve gas.
Update the emergency kits in your vehicles with the items below and be sure to let someone know when and where you will be traveling and when you expect to arrive at your destination.
* A shovel
* Windshield scraper and small broom
* Flashlight
* Battery-powered radio
* Extra batteries
* Water
* Snack food
* Matches
* Extra hats, socks and mittens
* First aid kit with pocket knife
* Necessary medications
* Blanket(s)
* Tow chain or rope
* Road salt and sand
* Booster cables
* Emergency flares
* Fluorescent distress flag
For additional preparedness, shelter and safety information, visit MainePrepares.com, or MEMA on Facebook or Twitter. Shelter information is also available by calling 211 or local town office, fire or police departments.
