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Preventing Injuries From Exposure To Cold Weather

Larry Stephens

Harsh winter weather has swept across most of northern Illinois this week and is a reminder to bundle up or stay inside. Frostbite and hypothermia are risks to those who cannot or will not take the proper precautions to prevent its deadly symptoms.

Since 1997, 163 people have died from over exposure to cold temperatures in Illinois. Jerry Wiltfang, who is director of emergency operations at the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department urges the homeless and elderly to find suitable shelter from the cold.

“The homeless folks in this kind of weather, you just can’t survive sleeping outside or being outside.” He said, “There are a number of shelters in our community that are open to these folks, they are able to go there; warm up.”

Wiltfang suggests people should check on elderly people to make sure they are adequately prepared for cold weather. “If you have elderly parents or relatives or if your neighbors are elderly hopefully somebody is checking on them.” He said “Make sure they’re warm enough, make sure that their equipment in their home is working correctly.”

Wiltfang says that common symptoms of frostbite include white and hard skin, numbness, feeling cold, and painful sensations. Several warming centers can be found in and near Winnebago County area.

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