MACON, MO. -- Not only is the cold air bad for your car and heating bills, it can also be deadly.
With temperatures dropping below zero and wind chills near -25, it's important to protect yourself against the cold. Always cover your skin and leave as little exposed skin as possible.
Frostbite is a major concern this time of year and can be more serious than you may think.
“Anytime that we have a lot of wind and it gets really cold, it can take less than a couple minutes to actually get frostbit depending on the temperature to any exposed skin,” said Cindy Malloy, R.N. at the Macon County Health Department.
Malloy stresses the importance of checking on the elderly this time of year, "A lot of them have thinner skin and so it doesn't take near as much for them to get frostbite or be exposed to cold temperatures. So if you have elderly neighbors, make sure you check on them," said Malloy.
Some signs of frostbite are a white or grayish-yellow area on your skin and numbness. If you're affected it's important to put warm -not hot- water on your skin immediately. If it doesn't heal you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Here is a list of warming centers in the area: Lock Haven Nursing Home in Macon, Macon Health Care Center in Macon, La Plata Nursing Home in La Plata, and the Macon Public Library. For more information call the Macon County Health Department at 660-385-4711. If you’re in Adair County and you need a place to stay warm, call the Red Cross at 660-665-5686.
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