COLD WAVE ALERT: ਸਿਹਤ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸਮੂਹ ਸਿਵਲ ਸਰਜਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ COLD WAVE ਸਬੰਧੀ ਐਡਵਾਇਜ਼ਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਰੀ
Before
1. Check your mobile phone regularly to view any warning issued by Meteorological Department or for information related to cold wave from reliable sources on internet.
2. Listen to the radio, watch TV, and read newspapers for local weather forecasts to know if a cold wave is around the corner.
3. Stock adequate winter clothing. Multiple layers of clothing are more helpful.
4. Various illnesses like flu, running/ stuffy nose, or nosebleeds, usually set in or get aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold, consult your doctor if you have such symptoms.
During
1. Follow weather information and emergency procedure information closely and act as advised.
2. Stay indoors as much as possible and avoid exposure to cold wind.
3. Wear multiple layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, windproof, warm, and woolen clothes. Tight clothing may reduce blood circulation. 4. Keep yourself dry. If wet, then cover your head, neck, hands, and toes adequately as the majority of heat loss occurs through these body parts.
5. Use hats and mufflers to prevent heat loss, Wear insulated/waterproof shoes.
6. Eat healthy food to maintain the equilibrium of body temperature and maintain hydration.
7. Eat fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin-C to maintain adequate immunity. 8. Drink hot fluids regularly to maintain body heat and to fight cold and warm your food before eating. .
9. Moisturize your skin regularly with oil, petroleum jelly, or body creams
10. Take care of elderly people and children and check neighbors who live alone, especially the elderly. Children and elderly should wear an extra layer of clothes being more vulnerable.
11. Watch out for symptoms of frostbite like numbness, white or pale appearance on fingers, toes, earlobes, and the tip of the nose, while exposed to cold waves. Prolonged exposure to cold can turn skin to pale, hard, numb, and black blisters on exposed body parts such as fingers, toes, nose, and/ or earlobes. Immediately consult the Doctor if you see such signs.
12. Treat the areas affected by frostbite in warm (not hot) water (the temperature should be comfortable to touch for unaffected parts of the body). 13. Do not ignore shivering. It is an important first sign that the body is losing heat and is a signal to quickly return indoors.
14. Move pet animals indoors. Likewise, protect livestock or domestic animals from cold weather by moving them inside. 15. Severe exposure to cold wave can lead to Hypothermia - a decrease in body temperature which can cause shivering,difficulty in speaking, sleepiness, stiff muscles, heavy breathing, weakness, and/or loss of consciousness.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention.
16. Consult the nearest health facility for symptoms like various illnesses, and running/stuffy nose, particularly during the period of COVID-19.
In the case of hypothermia Get the person into a warm place and change clothes.
Warm the person's body with skin-to-skin contact, and dry layers of blankets, clothes, towels, or sheets.
Give warm drinks to help increase body temperature. Do not give alcohol.
Seek medical attention if the condition worsens.
