Bitter Cold Weather Poses Health Risks

Bitter Cold Weather Poses Health 
Risks

UPDATE: EAST LANSING - If the frigid temps aren't sending chills down your spine, the risks these kind of sub zero conditions can pose to your health just might.

Frostbite and hypothermia can quickly set in quickly if you're not careful.

"When the temperature gets below zero [it can happen] within 15 to 30 minutes," said Dr. Timothy Hodge at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Hodge said there are definite signs to look out for.

"First is that change in color that you can see in the skin where you see the blanching in the skin. That's an early sign," he said.

"You might have some tingling in your fingers and toes, those things should tell you it's time to start warming."

Frostbite is actually ice crystals forming inside your skin tissue.

Anita Sukis with the East Lansing Fire Department said so far this year, calls for cold related injuries have been minimal.

"People are really starting to pay attention now and they're taking heed of these things," Sukis said. "They're dressing in layers, they're not staying outside as long, if they're drinking they're trying to make sure they have a friend that can get them home."



ORIGINAL STORY: EAST LANSING - The recent burst of winter weather and dangerously low temperatures can pose some serious risks to your health. HOMTV's Josh Sidorowicz has more on what you can do to protect yourself in this cold.

Additional Resources

Meridian Weather