Tips for freezing temperatures expected for Moody AFB Published Jan. 7, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. 23d Wing Public Affairs Moody Air Force Base, Ga. -- Winter temperatures, reported by the National Weather Service, are expected to drop below freezing on the nights of Jan. 7 and Jan. 8. Below are a few items to help combat the harsh effects of extreme cold at home or work. · Have a flashlight and extra batteries · Portable radio · Extra food and water · Extra prescription medicine · Baby items · First-aid supplies · Heating fuel · Emergency heat source · Fire extinguisher · Extra pet food One concern of extreme weather is frostbite. Frostbite happens when the body's survival mechanisms kick in during extremely cold weather. To protect the vital inner organs, the body cuts circulation to your extremities: feet, hands, nose, etc., which eventually freeze. To avoid frostbite, stay inside during severe cold, especially when the wind chill is -50 degrees or below. If you must go out, try to cover every part of your body: ears, nose, toes and fingers, etc. Mittens are better than gloves. Keep your skin dry. Stay out of the wind when possible. Drink plenty of fluids since hydration increases the blood's volume, which helps prevent frostbite. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarette. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, preventing warming of your extremities. Alcohol reduces shivering, which helps keep you warm. Cigarettes shut off the blood flow to your hands. Below is a list of first-aid tips if a person believes they are experiencing frostbite. Until you can get indoors: · Don't rub or massage cold body parts. · Put your hands in your armpits. · Hold onto another person or animal. · Drink warm liquids. · Put on extra layers of clothes, blankets, etc. · Remove rings, watches, and anything tight. Once Indoors: · Don't walk on a frostbitten foot. You could cause more damage. · Get in a warm, NOT hot, bath and wrap your face and ears in a moist, warm, NOT hot, towel. · Don't get near a hot stove or heater or use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or a hair dryer. You may burn yourself before feeling returns. · Frostbitten skin will become red and swollen and feel like it's on fire. You may develop blisters. Don't break the blisters. It could cause scarring. · If your skin turns blue or gray, is very swollen, blistered or feels hard and numb even under the surface, go to a hospital immediately. Another concern is hypothermia. When someone's body temperature sinks below 96 F, they have hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to temperatures as warm as 60 F, particularly in water, can trigger hypothermia if you aren't properly dressed. Below is a list of tips to help prevent hypothermia. · Dress in layers · Wrap up well when going outside in the cold. · Avoid breezes and drafts indoors. · Eat nutritious food and wear warm clothes to ward off winter chill. · Wear a warm hat in the winter. · Eat hot foods and drink warm drinks several times during the day. · If you live alone, ask a family member of neighbor to check on daily. · Ask your doctor if any medicine you're taking increases your risk of hypothermia. Drugs that may cause a problem include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chlorpromazine, reserpine, and tricyclic antidepressants. If your temperature is 96 F or less, you feel cold and sluggish, or are having trouble thinking clearly, see your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are trying to help someone who may have hypothermia, first call an ambulance. Then lie close to the person and cover both of you with thick blankets. The hotter you get, the more warmth you can give the other person. Don't rub the person or handle him or her roughly. For more information about inclement weather and safety tips visit www.nws.noaa.gov.