CLEVELAND — Ohio won't escape the below-freezing temperatures anytime soon, with the cold blast expecting to last through the week.
Summit County Public Health officials are warning Ohioans to monitor themselves for cold-related health issues, especially frostbite and hypothermia. Officials said while everyone is at risk, some are at a higher risk than others, including the elderly, the very young, those who work outside, people with chronic health conditions and those who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
Here are ways to help prevent cold-related health issues:
- Wear multiple layers of dry, loose-fitting clothes
- Wear a scarf or knit mask, hat, water-resistant coat, gloves and water-resistant boots when going outside
- Stay indoors if there are no means to go outside
- Avoid strenuous activity as much as possible
- If you're working outdoors, go indoors as often as possible to warm up
- For babies, make sure the room they're sleeping in is warm enough
- Don't leave pets outside — if you're cold, they're cold, too
- Don't leave a person or pet in a parked vehicle
- Check on people you know over the age of 65, the elderly, those with a chronic medical condition (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, high blood pressure and more) and those who suffer from a mental illness