Cooling Resources
Protect your health in the cold
Some people are at greater risk for illness or injury. Make sure to check in with family and friends who are:
- Older adults
- Young children and infants
- Sick or living with a chronic health condition
- Living with a disability
- Living in a home or shelter without heat
- Working or exercising outdoors
- Living on a fixed or low income (some may not want to turn on heating due to cost)
- Experiencing homelessness
Hypothermia, or low body temperature (less than 95°F), is a medical emergency. It happens when a person is exposed to the freezing cold for long periods of time. It can also occur in cool weather (as warm as 60°F) if the person has become cold from sweat, rain or being submersed in water.
Because hypothermia can affect the brain, a person might not know they have hypothermia. It is important to know the signs. In adults, signs include:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion or feeling very tired
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
Signs in babies include:
- Bright red, cold skin
- Very low energy
If you think someone has hypothermia, bring the person inside and remove any wet clothing. Cover them with blankets to help them warm up. It is okay to give them warm drinks, if they are conscious, but don’t give them alcohol. Take their temperature. A body temperature below 95°F is an emergency. Seek medical care immediately.
For older adults, it is a good idea to keep an easy-to-read thermometer in the home. As the body ages, the ability to feel changes in temperature decreases.
Other helpful resources:
Preventing Hypothermia
Frostbite and Hypothermia
Frostbite is a type of cold weather injury. It can lead to a loss of feeling in the hands, nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. In severe cases, it can lead to permanent damage or amputation.
If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, frostbite may be beginning to set in. Get out of the cold immediately.
Other signs include:
- White or grayish-yellow skin
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
Because the area may be numb, a person might not be aware they have frostbite until someone else notices.
If you suspect someone has frostbite, get the person to a warm place. Put the affected areas in warm — not hot — water. Do not rub the frostbitten area or use a heating pad, heating lamp or stove.
Maintaining a warm temperature in the home is important to protect you and your loved ones from cold-related illness and injury.
Before temperatures drop, prepare your home for the cold by checking or installing insulation and weather stripping. Make sure pipes are covered so they don’t freeze and break.
When heating your home or shelter:
- Be aware of carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning. It is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector.
- Never use generators, gas or charcoal grills, camp stoves or similar devices indoors, or in a garage or shelter.
- A generator should be placed outside and at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent. Make sure it is protected from rain and snow.
- Never use a stove top or oven to heat your home.
- Be aware of burn and fire hazards when using an electric space heater. Place space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.
To help keep your home warm, especially during a power outage when you might not have access to heat:
- Close off rooms that are not in use.
- Put towels or blankets under doors.
- Close blinds and draperies, or cover windows with blankets during the nighttime.
Cold weather preparedness
The weather service uses three different terms to alert the public of hazardous weather conditions. They can help people know when to be ready and when to take action.
A Watch means a storm may be beginning and there is the possibility of hazardous weather conditions. It is a prompt to get ready. It is usually issued hours ahead of severe weather and covers large areas.
A Warning means hazardous weather is going to happen or is happening. When the word “warning” is used, it is a signal to take action and find shelter immediately. It is usually issued minutes ahead of severe weather and covers small areas of land.
An Advisory means hazardous weather is happening or going to happen, but not to the same intensity as a warning. Take caution, because weather conditions may create unsafe situations.
The National Weather Service has shared a fun way to remember “watch” and “warning” terms using tacos (a visual is available in the image gallery section at the bottom of the page).
“Taco Watch” — All the ingredients for tacos have been gathered. Conditions are right for hazardous weather, so get ready.
“Taco Warning” — We will soon be eating tacos or are currently eating tacos. Hazardous weather is here, so take action!
Tehama County’s unpredictable snow forecasts and the possibility of power outages can create a situation when it is safer to stay home. Create a “stay box,” similar to a “go bag,” to be prepared for winter storms.
A stay box should have enough supplies to last three days, and include:
- Three gallons of water per person, per day, for drinking and washing
- Food that won’t spoil and doesn’t require cooking
- Extra trash bags and a bucket to use as a toilet
- Batteries for flashlights and radios
- A power source for medical equipment
Also, for the cold months, keep extra clothing and blankets to stay warm.
It is best to avoid travel in hazardous cold weather conditions. If you must travel, create an emergency kit to keep in your vehicle. Include:
- Cell phone and charger
- Clothing to help stay warm and dry, like extra hats, coats, gloves/mittens, socks, blankets
- Windshield scraper
- Shovel
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Water and non-perishable food
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Tow chains or rope
- Tire chains
- Emergency tire repair supplies
- Booster cables
- A flag, sign or flare to send a distress signal
