For Immediate Release:
January 17, 2020

Stay safe and warm in the extreme cold
Freeholder Impreveduto offers tips for facing harsh weather

FREEHOLD, NJ – With temperatures dipping below freezing and Code Blue Alerts being issued, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises residents to take caution in protecting themselves when going outdoors.

“Temperatures reaching near 32 degrees Fahrenheit are considered extreme cold,” said Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto, liaison to the Office of Emergency Management. “With extreme cold temperatures in our forecast, try to stay indoors or if you need to go outside, make it as brief as possible.”

When going outside in the extreme cold, adults and children should always wear:

• hats
• gloves or mittens
• scarfs or knit masks to cover face and mouth
• sleeves that are snug at the wrist
• water-resistant coats and boots
• several layers of loose-fitting clothing

Dress in layers, making sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven and wind resistant to reduce the loss of body heat. Make sure to not leave any areas of your skin exposed to the cold. Do not over exert yourself and stay dry. Excess perspiration will chill the body faster. Extreme cold temperatures will put an extra strain on the heart, when your body is already exerting itself to stay warm.

“If you feel warm and start to perspire, remove layers to prevent an increase of heat loss,” said Freeholder Impreveduto. “Prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures will use up your body’s energy, which can result in hypothermia. Do not ignore the signs when your body is shivering. This is a warning sign to go indoors.”

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), hypothermia is a serious condition that can be caused by cold temperatures. Hypothermia is when you experience abnormally low body temperatures from prolonged exposure to cold weather. As a result, the body uses up its stored energy. This will affect the brain, making the person unable to think clearly or move well.

Warning signs of hypothermia include:

• shivering
• exhaustion
• drowsiness
• confusion
• fumbling hands
• memory loss
• slurred speech

For more information about how to stay safe in the extreme cold, go to www.ready.gov.

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