Faced with a wave of extreme cold, several simple actions can prevent the damage that sub-zero temperatures are likely to cause on health.
- A study, published in 2015, shows that cold is responsible for more deaths than heat worldwide (7.29% against 0.42%).
- The cold is known to cause constriction of blood vessels as well as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, people with coronary heart disease are advised to limit their exposure to cold.
Météo France has placed 20 departments – mainly in the Center and on the mountains – in yellow vigilance this weekend of January 28 and 29, 2023, due to the cold or the risk of snow and ice. Lozère, Cantal and Haute-Loire are on the lookout for extreme cold. So be careful: negative temperatures can put the body in difficulty.
In addition to the immediate dangers (hypothermia, frostbite, etc.), they are also likely to have delayed effects on health. The risks of strokes, heart attacks and respiratory infections are, for example, increased. Several simple gestures allow you to protect yourself.
Cold: the right things to do at home
Negative temperatures, icy winds, black ice… faced with these elements, the health authorities are calling for caution. It is advisable to:
- Stay at home as much as possible.
- Maintain an ambient temperature of around 19 degrees without using a portable portable fuel heater continuously: indeed, this type of device can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Ensure good ventilation of the accommodation: do not block the ventilation and open the windows at least twice a day to have good indoor air quality.
- Have the gas heating or hot water production installations checked to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Eat properly and balanced to help the body cope with the cold.
Extreme cold: what to do when you go out
If you have to go out, several precautions can reduce the risk of falling, frostbite or even hypothermia. It’s necessary :
- Adapt your clothing: favor multiple layers while paying particular attention to the extremities (head, hands, ears, feet). Opt for good shoes to avoid falls. The materials must be breathable and the soles non-slip.
- Pay attention to children’s clothes too: they must be dressed warmly and covered. If they are in a stroller, it must be ensured that they can move regularly to warm up.
- Be well equipped for car journeys: take a blanket, warm clothes, a charged mobile phone, your usual medication, a hot drink in a Thermos, in case the vehicle is blocked by snow.
Extreme cold: mistakes not to make
Some actions that seem innocuous can be fatal in very cold weather. It is advisable to avoid:
- Significant physical effort outdoors: the cold forces the body, especially the heart, to make additional efforts.
- To drink alcohol: in a state of intoxication, the warning signs related to the cold disappear.
- To use devices not dedicated to heating to increase the temperature of the room (barbecue, braziers, etc.).
