From the Medical Officer of Health

Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health is issuing a COLD WEATHER ALERT for Lambton County, based on the latest forecast from Environment Canada predicting the temperature to drop to -15°C overnight.

This alert will remain in effect until Tuesday, January 2, 2018. The Medical Officer of Health will not issue a Cold Weather Alert termination.

Lambton Public Health advises local agencies that provide shelter and assistance to homeless people to prepare for an increase in demand during the Cold Weather Alert.

All residents should take precautions during a Cold Weather Alert by dressing in layers, shielding exposed areas from the wind such as head, neck and face, and limiting time spent outdoors.

Overexposure to cold can be hazardous, even life-threatening. Hypothermia, which can strike in any season, occurs when the body temperature drops below the normal range between 36.1°C and 37.8°C (97°F-100°F). Symptoms may include pale skin, lethargy, confusion, excessive shivering and hallucinations.

For more information on severe cold weather and the risks involved including hypothermia, frostbite and how to avoid them, please visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca.

A Cold Weather Alert is issued when one or more of the following is met:

• Daily, low temperature is predicted to be -15°C or below, without a wind chill value.
• Environment Canada issues a wind chill warning for Lambton County.
• Extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard or ice storm, are predicted.