Notice Board

Southern Alberta winters can produce rapidly changing conditions resulting in fluctuating temperatures, icy conditions and low temperatures with wind chill.

• Check the weather, be prepared, and dress in layers.
• Keep moving to generate body heat.
• Cold exposure increases due to high winds, use wind breaks and shelter where possible.
• Increased potential for frostbite and hypothermia, monitor your health and get indoors when needed.
• It takes time to adjust to colder conditions, use breaks to warm up inside when possible.

Signs of cold

Shivering – your body will shiver to increase heat production but reduces blood flow to skin and extremities.

Impaired coordination – Loss of muscular coordination may result in slow movements and reduced dexterity.

Tingling – loss of feeling or tingling in fingers and toes indicates loss of circulation to those areas.

Confusion – watch for “unusual -umbles” such as stumbles, mumbles, and fumbles

Signs of Frostbite

Early indicators of frostbite include:

• tingling, stinging, or burning pain
• Red skin, or less often, white, yellow, or pink-blue skin
• Mild swelling

As Frostbite gets worse, you will notice numbness followed by throbbing and aching pain of the affected areas. The skin will also become hard and frozen, and you may develop blisters on the skin within 6 to 24 hours. If you find that you are developing any of these symptoms, head indoors and try to warm the affected area, and seek first aid or medical treatment.

Signs of Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than it can make it up. Symptoms of onset hypothermia include:

• increasing uncontrollable shivering
• cold, pale, or blue-grey skin
• lack of interest or concern
• poor judgment
• mild unsteadiness in balance or walking
• slurred speech
• numb hands and fingers

REPORT WINTER HAZARDS OR INJURY DUE TO COLD (SUCH AS FROSTBITE):

If you find any hazards or suffer frostbite or hypothermia, contact: Security Services for first aid assistance 403-329-2345.  You can also submit an Online Report to Safety Services.