JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With temperatures plunging into the 20s Tuesday morning and feels-like temperatures dropping into the teens and single digits due to breezy winds, the risk of contracting hypothermia is high in Jacksonville.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those most vulnerable to hypothermia include older adults without adequate food, clothing, or heating; babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; people outdoors for long periods, such as those experiencing homelessness, hikers, and hunters; and individuals who consume alcohol or use illicit drugs.
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Signs of hypothermia in adults to watch for include:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
In children, look for bright red, cold skin and very low energy.
Additionally, hypothermia can occur even at temperatures above 40 degrees if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or cold water immersion.
Residents are urged to wear layers and cover their entire body, including hats, mittens, and ear muffs, when outside in the subfreezing temperatures this week.