Hypothermia and frostbite (summary)

Even if you live in a warm area, historic winter storms with blackouts can cause hypothermia inside the home. It can happen even above 40 °F (4 °C) if the person gets wet. The full details are in chapter 14.

• Hypothermia: body temperature below 95 °F (35 °C). Signs: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, clumsy hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.
• What to do: call 911 or get medical care; move the person to a warm place; remove wet clothing; warm the trunk first (chest, neck, head, groin) with dry blankets or skin-to-skin contact; give warm drinks without alcohol only if the person is conscious. If they aren't breathing, start CPR and keep warming them.
• Frostbite: white or grayish-yellow skin, hard or waxy, numb. Warm in lukewarm (not hot) water. Do not rub or massage, do not use a stove, space heater, or heating pad, and do not walk on frostbitten feet if you can avoid it.