The coldest air of the season so far is forecasted to begin this Sunday, January 19 and last at least through Wednesday, January 22. Extreme low temperatures are expected with daily highs only reaching single digits and lows at or below zero. The wind chill may make it feel like double digit below zero temperatures.
Those without access to shelter or adequate housing and those having to work outside are particularly vulnerable to these extreme cold temperatures. Hypothermia is a sickness that can happen when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Your body temperature drops so low that your body loses the ability to function. People are at risk of hypothermia in very cold weather, or even in cool weather if their skin is wet from water or sweating. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, slurred speech, confusion, fumbling hands, sleepiness, and unconsciousness. Babies look bright red or have very cold skin. They may seem lifeless or very sleepy. Frostbite is a type of injury that is caused when skin freezes because it is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Frostbite can cause permanent damage to the body. In severe cases, the skin tissue may be so damaged that the affected body part needs to be removed (amputated).
To prevent hypothermia and frostbite:
- Wear a hat or headband that covers your ears
- Limit your time outdoors
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Dress in several layers of loose, warm clothing
- Wear mittens with liners instead of gloves
- Wear socks and liners that provide insulation and remove sweat from you skin
In addition to cold-related illness, there is an increased risk for Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning as people may use heat sources, such as gasoline-powered generators, charcoal grills, and kerosene and propane heaters or stoves inside without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that blocks your body from taking in oxygen.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Install battery-operated or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
- Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
- Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, kerosene heater, propane heater inside your home.
- Do not run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open
- Don't heat your house with a gas oven or burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not properly vented.
As temperatures drop, Lenawee County offers several community warming shelters for individuals to warm up and charge their devices. (Please note, some locations may lose power if there's a power outage as they may not have generators)
Lenawee County Warming Shelter Locations:
- Adrian District Library
517-265-2265
143 E Maumee St, Adrian MI - Blissfield - Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library
517-486-2858
407 S. Lane St., Blissfield MI - Clinton Township Public Library
517-456-4141
100 Brown St., Clinton MI - Lenawee District Library - Addison
517-547-3414
102 S. Talbot St., Addison MI - Lenawee District Library - Adrian
517-263-1011
4459 W. US 223, Adrian MI - Lenawee District Library - Britton
517-451-2860
120 College Ave, Britton MI - Lenawee District Library - Clayton
517-445-2619
3457 State St., Clayton MI - Lenawee District Library - Deerfield
517-447-3400
170 Raisin St., Deerfield MI - Lenawee District Library - Onsted
517-467-2623
261 S. Main St., Onsted MI - Share the Warmth
517-759-3223
427 W. Maumee St., Adrian MI - Stair District Library - Morenci
517-458-6510
228 W. Main St., Morenci MI - Tecumseh District Library
517-423-2238
215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh MI
Resources:
MDHHS Cold Health and Safety Fact Sheet PDF (English)
MDHHS Cold Health and Safety Fact Sheet PDF (Spanish)
Michigan Prepares - Winter Weather (external site)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Factsheet PDF (English)
Portable Generators Factsheet PDF (English)
CDC Winter Weather: Before, During, and After (external site)
CDC Generator Safety (fact sheet in multiple languages)
CDC Carbon Monoxide (fact sheet in multiple languages)