Chicago Department of Public Health Weekly Media Brief, 01/23/2025

Keeping Safe and Warm Through the Cold

Chicago will continue its streak of chilly days throughout the week. The City of Chicago maintains warming centers on weekdays when temperatures are 32 degrees and below, and libraries and Chicago Parks District facilities are open for those who need shelter from the cold. If you're in need of non-emergency health or social support, call 3-1-1 for help.

Here are some additional tips on how to stay warm & safe:

• Wear several layers of loose, warm clothing, paying special attention to keeping your head, ears, hands and feet warm. Parents should dress their children in insulated boots, gloves or mittens and a hat, to cover exposed areas. For infants and toddlers, the rule of thumb is one extra layer than you would wear yourself.
• Stay as dry as possible - being wet makes your body lose heat much faster than normal.
• Kids' bulky coats or snowsuits can interfere with car seat safety. Instead, use thin, snug layers and a blanket over the harness if needed.
• Parents should limit children's outdoor play time under very cold conditions. Children should be taking frequent breaks indoors, and if their clothes get wet, swap it out for dry clothing.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages, as alcohol dilates blood vessels, which makes the body lose heat faster.
• If frostbite occurs, head inside and gently warm the affected areas with warm (not hot) water. For hypothermia, call 911 immediately, get inside, remove wet clothing and replace it with dry layers, and wrap the person - whether a child or adult - in blankets until help arrives.
• Use caution when using electric heaters and clear the area of clothing and blankets. Gas ovens and burners should never be used to heat your home.
• Naloxone/Narcan freezes below 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If someone is experiencing an overdose, do not wait for it to thaw, call 9-1-1.
• For more information on helping children enjoy winter play safely, visit healthychildren.org.

CDPH Joins Hopeful Cities Initiative

CDPH has partnered with The Shine Hope Company to join its Hopeful Cities initiative. Through this partnership, Chicagoans can access free, accessible resources and community-focused programming that promote hope and teach crucial life skills.

CDPH will offer Hopeful Cities information and resources at free Question, Persuade, and Refer suicide prevention trainings available to the public across the city. There are a few upcoming trainings in February:

• February 11th: Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch, Chicago Public Library
  8530 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60652
  4:00 - 5:30 p.m., In-Person, Open to the Public.
• February 20th: Virtual CDPH QPR Training
  1- 2:30 p.m.

Trainings are added on an ongoing basis. For more information on CDPH's efforts on suicide prevention or to look up trainings, please visit chicago.gov/suicideprevention.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, please call 988 for help.

Healthy Chicago Podcast

At the end of 2024, CDPH released the Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan report, which presents the latest life expectancy data and highlights the department's new focus on addressing racial disparities in health outcomes.

In the newest episode of the Spanish-language Healthy Chicago podcast, Dr. Geraldine Luna, Medical Director at CDPH, discusses the factors contributing to disparities in morbidity and mortality and how the Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan introduces seven action plans aimed at improving health outcomes in the five priority communities most affected by low life expectancy and recent declines.

Listen/watch the podcast episode:

YouTube, Spotify, Appleand the CDPH website.

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