24-hour warming facilities, tips for staying healthy in the cold announced

Posted Wednesday, December 27, 2017 8:56 am

The Oneida County Emergency Management offices have announced warming facilities open for citizens who may need to seek warmth from the bitter cold. Most of the facilities on the list are open for business 24 hours, seven days a week. Public Library hours are indicated.

RHINELANDER AREA:

Trig's Riverwalk Centre Mall, 232 S. Courtney St. 715-369-1470 (seating in the mall area)

Walmart Supercenter, 2121 Lincoln St. 715-362-8550

Rhinelander District Library, 106 N. Stevens St. 715-365-1070 (Open Monday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Tues. – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

MINOCQUA/WOODRUFF AREA:

Trig's Mall, 9750 Hwy. 70 W., Minocqua. 715-356-9456 (seating in the mall area)

Walmart Supercenter, 8760 Northridge Way, Minocqua. 715-356-1609

Minocqua Public Library, 415 Menominee St. 715-356-4437 (Open Monday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Tues. – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

THREE LAKES AREA:

Demmer Memorial Library, 6961 E. School St., 715-546-3391 (Open Mon./Wed., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tues.,Thurs. and Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

The National Weather Service indicated a Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until Noon today. Wind chills of 20-30 degrees below zero are expected at times. Wind chills such as these indicate frostbite to exposed skin can occur in as little as 30-minutes.

To report a power outage:

Wisconsin Public Service: 1-800-450-7240

Price Electric Cooperative: 1-800-884-0881

Safety Tips

If possible, stay inside until weather conditions improve. When going outside, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Carry a charged cell phone if possible and watch for slippery conditions.

With These Bitter Temperatures, Beware of Hypothermia and Frostbite

Frostbite: can occur on exposed skin in less than 10 minutes. Symptoms include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear tips and tip of the nose. Limit your time outside.

Signs of hypothermia: include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness in adults and children. In infants, symptoms can include bright red or cold skin and very low energy.

Carbon Monoxide Danger: Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. Breathing carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood and can cause death within minutes at high levels. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide are often mistaken for the flu which includes: headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath/chest pain, nausea/vomiting, and confusion. If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, or your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.

IF YOU SEE ANY OF THE ABOVE SIGNS, SEEK MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY!

Pet/Livestock Precautions: Animals can suffer from hypothermia, frostbite and other cold weather injuries. It is recommended to bring pets indoors during this bitter weather. Harsh conditions weaken livestock immune systems and open the door to illness. Calves and swine are especially susceptible to cold. Make sure animals have a place to get out of the wind, even if it is just a windbreak or a three-sided shelter. Also provide dry bedding to protect them from frostbite.

Additional feeding may be necessary as well as providing access to fresh water – not frozen streams or snow.

On the road: Before you travel, call 511 Wisconsin for 24/7 road conditions, notify a friend or family member of your travel route and notify them when you arrive at your destination. Make sure you have a winter emergency kit including: candles, matches, flashlight, pocket knife, snacks, cell phone adapter, extra blanket and extra clothing.

Stay at least 200 feet from the rear of a snowplow and obey the ‘Move Over’ Law to provide a safety zone for law enforcement vehicle, tow truck, ambulance, fire truck, highway maintenance vehicle, or utility vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing.

If your vehicle slides off the road, gets stuck or becomes disabled, make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow, keep the window cracked and run the engine for 10 minutes an hour, stay inside the vehicle it if at all possible with your seat belt fastened until a tow truck or help arrives to help protect against out-of-control vehicles. A vehicle is a good shelter.

For more information, contact: Oneida County Emergency Management at 715-361-5167 warming facilities or Oneida County Public Health Department at 715-369-6111.