Why does Public Health issue Cold Weather Alerts?
Alerts ensure homeless persons and other members of the community vulnerable to the effects of extreme winter weather are protected during the cold spell. A voluntary network of agencies region-wide coordinates resources, locates shelter spaces, and transports those vulnerable to exposure, if necessary. Extreme cold weather alerts are called when: • temperatures fall below -15° Celsius • when weather conditions are severe enough to warrant alerting the community to the risks involved with prolonged exposure to the outdoors (blizzard, wind chill warning) Health Risks of Extreme Cold Who is at Risk? • Infants (under 1 year) • People 65 years of age or older • People without permanent shelter • Outdoor workers • Sport enthusiasts (skiers, ice skaters) • People living in homes that are poorly insulated or without heat • People living in homes without power (usually due to other weather-related events such as a winter storm Know Symptoms and When to Get Help • Hypothermia Symptoms/signs inc
