Cold Weather – Hazards

When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold related illness and injuries may occur.  Cold weather threats can lead to loss of fingers and toes, ear and nose tissue or cause permanent kidney, pancreas and liver injury including death.

Cold weather hazardous include the following:

Never give a person suffering from frostbite or hypothermia drinks containing caffeine or alcohol:

• Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body
• Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the effects of cold body temperatures