Tips for Staying Safe as Extreme Cold Approaches

With a cold weather advisory issued for St. Louis between 9 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday by the National Weather Service, which forecasts wind chills as low as -10°F, the City of St. Louis Department of Health is urging residents to take steps to keep themselves, their families and their animals warm.

Shelter, including private family rooms, is available in St. Louis by calling 211.

"Cold weather poses serious public health risks, and extreme temperatures increase the likelihood of frostbite, hypothermia, home-heating fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and several other dangers to be aware of," said Commissioner of Health Victoria Anwuri. "We are already seeing St. Louisans suffer from some of these cold-related conditions, and I highly encourage everyone to take steps to stay warm."

Older adults, young children, people with disabilities and those without stable heat are most at risk.

Residents should dress in warm layers, cover exposed skin, limit time outdoors during extreme cold, bring pets inside and check on neighbors who may need extra help.

The Department of Health encourages St. Louisans to be aware of the following conditions and risks as cold temperatures hit our community.

Wind chill, the combined cooling effect of wind and temperature, can make cold conditions far more dangerous.

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissue freeze. It causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected area, most often the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below its normal level, typically around 98.6°F. Factors such as age, body fat and alcohol use can accelerate its onset. While most common in cold weather, hypothermia can also develop at milder temperatures if someone is wet, sweating or immersed in cold water.

Cold exposure, including wind chill and strenuous activity like shoveling snow, can also increase stress on the heart and lead to chest pain, shortness of breath or cardiac events. Older adults and individuals with chronic conditions should seek assistance with clearing snow or ice.

• Windchill 32°F and above: generally safe to be outdoors
• Windchill 13-31°F: take indoor breaks every 20-30 minutes
• Windchill 13°F or below: move activities indoors, as frostbite can quickly set in

Heat your home safely: Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources, plug space heaters directly into wall outlets, and never use ovens or grills to heat your home. Only use generators outdoors and keep them at least 20 feet away from building openings. Ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and functioning correctly.

Stay informed by signing up for NotifySTL at stlouis-mo.gov/NotifySTL to receive real-time notifications by text, email, or phone. For up-to-date forecasts, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov and enter your ZIP code.