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Cold weather expected

Cold Weather Safety and Preparedness

We are expecting extremely cold temperatures with lows possibly below zero overnight. Hypothermia and frostbite are real concerns. A dangerously cold wind chill could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.  

 

Please keep yourself and help keep your friends and other members of our campus community safe by following the tips below and watching for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Use a buddy system if you are walking outside at night, especially after drinking, and make sure you and your friends wear coats, hats, and gloves or mittens when outside.

 

Tips for Managing the Cold Temperatures

  • Limit your time outdoors or go inside regularly to warm up.
  • Dress in layers of loose-fitting clothing with an outer layer that is wind/waterproof. Wear mittens and a hat to prevent heat loss and skin exposure to the cold. Mittens are better than gloves.
  • Stay dry.  If your clothing gets wet, change into dry clothes and warm up. 
  • Alcohol causes the body to lose heat at an accelerated rate by dilating blood vessels.  Alcohol also impairs one's ability to recognize getting cold or feeling pain.
  • Drink warm tea or hot cocoa.
  • Use a buddy system and make sure no one walks home alone at night, especially after going to a party or drinking. 
  • More information is available on the National Weather Service's Cold Weather Safety.

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia

  • Shivering
  • Dizziness
  • Cold/pain/numbness in extremities
  • Nausea
  • Rapid breathing
  • Confusion
  • Lack of coordination

As always, please call Health Services at 603-646-9440 around the clock.  Please look out for one another and use the LiveSafe app or call Safety and Security at 603-646-4000 if you or someone you know needs help.