Extreme cold is going to continue across the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area.

According to the National Weather Service, overnight lows are expected to be below zero degrees through next Saturday, and daytime highs are not expected to get above single digits. Because of that, frostbite is going to be a real danger to be aware of. 

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says the beginning signs of frostbite include redness and painful skin. The more advanced stages include white, grayish and yellow skin color, along with the skin feeling firm and waxy. She describes what you should do to help someone who may be suffering from the different stages of frostbite.

“Get them into a warm room, don’t massage with snow or ice, keep them in warm but not hot water, and don’t use a heating pad, or a heat lamp, or something that’s going to burn them, because if they’re numb, they aren’t going to feel that.”

Wolf talks about ways to prevent frostbite if you are going to be outdoors.

“When you’re going outside make sure you’re wearing a mask that covers your face and mouth, and a hat. Make sure your hands are covered, you have a water resistant coat and boots, and that you’re wearing several layers of loose-fitting clothing.”

Wolf adds it doesn’t take very long in extremely cold weather for the early stages of frostbite to settle in.