Being outside for prolonged periods in the winter months can cause hypothermia, a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
Jodene DeVault with Warren County Public Health tells KNIA News the dangers of hypothermia can come from not being able to determine if you are experiencing it.
“The first thing you want to be aware of is you may not be aware of it, so you have to take precautions beforehand. It can happen even in exposure to wet clothes from rain or sweat in temperatures higher than freezing can cause hypothermia, so take steps to wear warm clothes and limit exposure to stay safe.”
DeVault also says that the first symptoms to look out for is slower brain functions, shivering, lack of coordination, and exhaustion. For more information on staying safe outside this winter, tune in to today’s Let’s Talk Indianola.
