Freezing temperatures can lead to hypothermia, frost bite

Dr. Mike Cirigliano of Penn Medicine is sounding the alarm. 

He says these sub-freezing temperatures  are extremely dangerous and can lead to frost bite or hypothermia.

What we know:

A cold weather advisory remains in effect in the Philadelphia area until 12 p.m. Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says very cold wind chills as low as five degrees below zero can be expected. 

The cold wind chill could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.  

Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures.

Quick tips

  • Hypothermia causes confusion and fatigue and could even be deadly
  • Bundle up-cover all exposed areas
  • Make sure your car is in good condition
  • Bring your pets inside

What they're saying:

"You can get into trouble in about 15 minutes in this kind of weather."

Dr. Mike says hypothermia is when body temperature falls below 95 degrees.

"Hypthermia can lead to confusion, fatigue and do the point you don't know you are in really big trouble. It's basically a medical emergency, you could lose your life."

Dr. Mike says folks need to heed the warning signs.

"If you start to feel numbness and tingling in your fingers and your ears. It's time to get inside."

What if you have to be outside?

"Kids at the bus stop will be bundled up and cover up exposed skin. Remember you can get frost bite of the nose and the ears so you have to cover your face."

Taking care of yourself and your loved ones is priority, but don't forget to make sure your car is ready for these brutal conditions. 

Bill Michaels of Haverown Automotive says checking your car's battery is key.

"When you go to start your car cold, does it sound like its not cranking over as fast as it normally does, laboring when its trying to crank, and if so it's probably weak."

Michaels says that could signal you need to replace the battery.

Having four good tires is critical in this weather.

"You want a nice all-season tread, and the fine sqiggy line is called siping, and that's where you get your grip from."

Michaels also says the extreme cold can cause your tire pressure to take a nosedive, so keep an eye on it.

"So, if you open up the driver’s side door, the label is there. It tells you what the recommended pressure is, so you want to stay in that range.

Having good windshield wipers is also important and making sure your wiper fluid is full. 

Michaels says a lot of it is common sense.

"Make sure your vehicle is running well before you try to drive in bad weather.

Don't forget if it’s too cold for you to be outside, it’s too cold for your pets. Bring them inside. also if you take your dog for a walk on a slated sidewalk or rad, make sure you wipe off their paws really well, because if they lick their paws, they could ingest the chemical, which is obviously not goo.

Stay warm.

The Source: The information in this story is from Dr. Mike Cirigliano of Penn Medicine, The National Weather Service, and Bill Michaels of Haverown Automotive.

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