Montgomery County Issues a Cold Emergency Alert; Community Members are Advised to Take Appropriate Precautions

For Immediate Release: Sunday, December 31, 2017

Due to expected overnight temperatures tonight in Montgomery County falling into the single digits with a wind chill of 0 to minus 10 degrees, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is issuing a “Cold Emergency Alert” to go into effect at 9 p.m. tonight, December 31, and run through at least 9 a.m., January 1.

A Cold Emergency Alert, the highest level of extreme temperature alert, is issued for the County when the conditions will pose a significant threat to exposed human life.

Because many people will be out tonight taking part in New Year’s Eve celebrations, there is particular concern for the safety for anyone spending time outside and particular concern for the homeless population and animals.

On New Year’s Eve it is important to mention that drinking alcohol does not warm the body. Alcohol can help a person "feel" warmer as blood vessels on the skin's surface dilate or open. However, that "feeling" of warmth does not mean the body’s temperature will be affected. A person will still be just as likely to get frostbite or hypothermia.During a period of extreme cold, frostbite can occur with as little as 30 minutes of exposure to the cold. Anyone being outside should dress in layers of warm clothing and wear a hat. Nearly half of body heat is lost through the head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

Check on neighbors and relatives, especially seniors. Older residents are especially susceptible to hypothermia, even inside their homes and may need assistance.

Anyone who has concern about the safety of a homeless individual should call the police non-emergency number, 301-279-8000 to report the location and provide a description of the individual. The County’s Men’s Shelter (for men only) at 600 East Gude Drive in Rockville and the Interfaith Works at Progress Place Shelter (co-ed) located at 8106 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring are available around-the-clock to receive homeless individuals, without any pre-screening. During the Cold Emergency Alert, space will be provided for everyone seeking shelter. The County’s Department of Health and Human Services Mobile Crisis Team will also be operational and can be reached at 240-777-4000.

Community members should be aware of the following important information.

            No one should be out on any frozen water surfaces, to include the C & O canal, lakes, community ponds, etc. Members of the public should call the police non-emergency number, 301-279-8000 to report any sightings of people who may become endangered.

Hypothermia:

Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health emergencies in susceptible people, such as the very young, seniors, those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live in a home that is poorly insulated and/or without heat. Hypothermia can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. When the body’s store of energy is used up, the result is hypothermia. Because hypothermia can affect the brain, a person may not be aware that it is happening, and not take appropriate steps to prevent damage.

Warning Signs:

• Shivering, exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• For infants – bright red, cold skin, very low energy

What to do:

• If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an emergency – get medical attention immediately
• If the person is unconscious and does not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing, call 9-1-1

Prior to medical care:

• Get victim into a warm room or shelter
• Remove any wet clothing
• Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head and groin – using electric blanket if available, or use skin-to-skin-contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels or sheets
• Warm, nonalcoholic, beverages can help increase body temperatures if the victim is conscious

Frostbite:

            Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas, typically the nose, ears, cheeks, fingers or toes. Signs of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, a white or grayish-yellow skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy and numbness.

What to do:

• Get into a warm area as soon as possible
• Immerse the affected area in warm, but not hot, water
• Warm the affected area using body heat
• Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace or radiator for warming
• Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes if at all possible
• Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it in any fashion

Outdoor Safety:

            Try to stay indoors, and make trips outside as brief as possible. Limit outdoor recreational activity. Outdoor cold weather exertion puts extra strain on the heart.

• Wear hat, scarf or mask to cover face and mouth
• Sleeves should be snug at the wrist
• Mittens are warmer than gloves
• Several layers of loose-fitting clothing should be worn under a heavy coat

Indoor Safety:

            If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace or space heater, be extremely careful. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or similar devices indoors, inside a garage, or near the air intake of your house because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Only use combustion heaters if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space
• Do not place a space heater within three feet of anything that may catch fire, such as drapes, furniture or bedding
• Do not use an extension cord

Vehicle Safety:

            During cold winter weather, keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Make sure there is adequate antifreeze. Never leave a person of any age alone in a vehicle. Have extra blankets and supplies in case of a breakdown.

Animal Care:

Due to extreme temperatures, the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division is enforcing Executive Regulation 10-10AM, Anti-Cruelty Conditions for Dogs.

Section II-C of the regulation states that “a person must not tether a dog under circumstances that endanger its health, safety, or well-being including: unattended tethering of the dog during a weather emergency.” The enforcement of this regulation is put into effect during periods of high heat and humidity, and during conditions of extreme cold, wind, and heavy snow which can all be damaging to dogs and other animals. This law was enacted by the Montgomery County Council on June 25, 2002. Dogs spending a period of time outdoors must have access to shelter to properly protect them from the elements. The penalty for this violation is a $500 fine.

Montgomery County Police Animal Services officers want to remind citizens to be particularly careful with all pets during this time period of record cold.  The best advice during periods of extreme weather conditions is to bring your pets indoors. Even animals that are accustomed to living outdoors can be susceptible to the dangers of cold weather.  Livestock animals should have a place to get out of the wind; dry bedding should be provided to protect them from frostbite. 

ASD Officers will be on-call, patrolling neighborhoods and responding to any animal-related emergencies.  If you see an animal left outside that appears to be in danger, please call the Animal Services Division immediately at 301-279-8000.

 

Tips from veterinarians for cold weather care of a dog include:

 

• Provide a heated bed and shelter for dogs which cannot come indoors
• Avoid letting your dog eat snow – keep fresh room temperature water available at all times
• Keep food and water in a place where it will not freeze – preferably inside
• A dog’s ears and tail are susceptible to frostbite; check them after a dog has been outside for a long period of time
• Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol
• A dog licking the salt off the bottom of his paws can make him sick, so wipe his paws after he walks through a salted area
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather because a car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

Alert Montgomery:

• For timely severe weather and emergency notifications, go to https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov  and sign up for Alert Montgomery. Warnings and emergency updates will be sent directly to your cell phone (text), landline phone, computer (Twitter & Facebook) and/or email address. The service is free, but text charges may apply, so check with your cell phone carrier before selecting text alerts.

 

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Lucille Baur 240-777-6547