With temperatures reaching what might be record lows across much of the state tonight and tomorrow, there’s an increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says symptoms of hypothermia include a sudden drop in body temperature of 95 degrees or lower, along with shivering, exhaustion, confusion, uncoordinated movements and memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. “And if you notice any of these, you need to get the person into a warm room. And you want to concentrate on warming the center of the body first like the chest, and the neck, and the head and the groin because those are the vital areas surrounding our vital organs.”

As for frostbite, Wolf says the symptoms include numbness of the face, fingers and toes, along with discoloration of the extremities. The skin could also be firm and waxy looking. If you notice someone with the symptoms of frostbite, get them into a warm room, and warm them up with body heat and warm water. Wolf also suggests to not do the following to someone who may have frostbite:“You do not want to put a heating pad on them because that could burn them. Remember they’re numb. So they can’t feel heat as well if you put a heating pad on them so it could burn them.”

To hear more from Wolf about other tips and ways to stay safe from the extreme cold temperatures, listen to today’s and tomorrow’s Community State Bank in Paton Let’s Talk Greene County program.