An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for the Peterborough area.
The forecast is calling for wind chills near minus 30 expected overnight into Saturday morning. These wind chills may return again Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
Peterborough Public Health has also issued its first Frostbite Alert of the season.
During these cold temperatures, One Roof Community Centre will have extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. to provide daytime shelter from the cold.
In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:
-Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30
minutes.
-Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of
hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
-Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other
medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
-Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.
