It’s cold. It’s been cold. It’s most likely going to continue being cold. As the calendar flips to February, there’s light at the end of the winter tunnel, but we’re not there yet. 

Dr. Gregory Benjamin, an assistant professor of Public Health and associate dean of the College of Health Sciences, has tips and tricks for keeping yourself and others safe during extreme cold temperatures.

This Q&A has been slightly edited for clarity and length.

In simple terms, how does the cold affect the body? What health risks should people keep in mind when the weather is this cold?
Currently, we are experiencing extremely cold weather in the Delaware Valley. As we walk around campus or go from our cars to classrooms, we have to be mindful of how cold the weather is, how long we stay outside, and how this can affect our bodies. 

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures (especially below 32F), or even short exposure to extremely cold temperatures, can put our body into survival mode, causing a whole host of issues, including, but not limited to: hypothermia, frostbite, and eventually issues with our cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Simply put, each and every system of the body (e.g., skeletal, muscular, nervous, etc.) can be affected by extremely cold temps. The biggest concern is radiation, where heat radiates away from a person’s body and into the surrounding air.

It is important to note that hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing our body temperatures to drop below 95F. Other health-related conditions can include our bodies trying to raise our blood pressure, which causes our heart to work harder and can increase our risk of heart attack or stroke, especially in people who already have preexisting heart conditions. We also have to be careful with frostbite, which, in simple terms, is a freezing of the skin and tissue, which often happens first in our extremities, such as our fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas.

What steps can people take in order to protect themselves from the cold while taking part in everyday activities?
During cold periods, it is important to prevent frostbite or hypothermia from occurring in the first place. Be prepared! Make sure that your skin is always dry and covered. Be sure to wear gloves or mittens, hats, a scarf, and a good heavy jacket/coat, and think about using loose-fitting layers (e.g., if you know you’ll be outside for some time, wear thermal underwear and then your normal outfit for the day). You can always remove layers if you get too warm. It’s also important to avoid wearing tight-fitting boots or gloves, which might interfere with circulation, and be sure to stay properly hydrated by packing non-alcoholic beverages and even think about using a thermos to keep a warm beverage or soup at the ready so you can sip while outside. 

Also, while you are outside, if you do happen to get wet or exposed directly to snow or ice, you want to think about immediately changing out of your wet clothes. This might mean packing an extra outfit or layers of clothing with you. Also, if you know you’ll be outside for some time, identify ahead of time a shelter or indoor place where you can go to warm up. 

What are common misconceptions about dealing with the extreme cold?
There are several common misconceptions about dealing with extreme cold temperatures. 

The first myth is: “As long as I’m not shivering, I’m fine!” This is not accurate. In fact, shivering can stop when hypothermia becomes severe. Lack of shivering can mean the body is running out of energy, which is a severe, dangerous issue. 

Second myth: “Alcohol keeps me warm.” While drinking alcohol might temporarily make you feel warm (i.e. a burning-like sensation of the throat or warm feeling in your cheeks or face), it actually accelerates heat loss and increases your risk for hypothermia. When more blood flows to your skin, it takes heat away from your core. This means drinking alcohol can make you lose body heat faster. Instead, drink something warm like hot tea, coffee, warm water, or soup!

Third myth: “Hypothermia can only happen if the temperature is below freezing (32 F). This is not accurate. If you or your clothes are wet, if it’s windy, or you are exhausted–even if the temperature is above 32–you can still be at risk for hypothermia. You always want to prepare for the possibility by having loose-fitting layers that you can take on and off; by having a blanket or two kept in your car; or packing warm, non-alcoholic beverages that you can use during outside time. 

Bonus: How can we be sure to help our neighbors and those who are most vulnerable to the cold throughout the winter season?
During these frigid times, it is critically important that we check in on our loved ones, neighbors, and especially those who might be elderly or have complex medical issues. Make sure that they not only have access to heat in their house, but that they also are aware of some of the facts shared here, regarding what prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures can do to the body. Help make a plan with your loved one or neighbor by ensuring they have a few blankets tucked away in the back seat of the car. Also, perhaps ask if your loved one needs help with going out and getting gloves, a hat, and a scarf–they just might not be able to physically get out of the house to do it. But you got that! 

Other ways that you can help neighbors and loved ones are by volunteering to help shovel snow from their driveway, walkways, or off their cars. In recent data, there were about 11,500 snow shoveling injuries, including 100 fatalities. Those especially affected are the elderly and people who are sick or have complex medical issues. 

Lastly, be sure to regularly check in, either in person or by phone, with your neighbors or loved ones. If you suspect there is something wrong, please call 911 or the local police department and ask them to do a “wellness check.” This could potentially save a life!