Practical Answers for Everyday Independence

Staying Safe in Extreme Cold

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Category: Health & Safety

Staying Safe in Extreme Cold

Extreme cold can cause hypothermia, frostbite, falls, heart problems, breathing difficulties, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Cold weather can become dangerous both outdoors and inside a home that is not adequately heated.

Temperature is only part of the risk. Wind, moisture, wet clothing, physical exhaustion, inadequate food, certain medications, and limited mobility can all cause the body to lose heat more quickly.

Hypothermia can develop even when the temperature is above freezing if someone becomes wet from rain, snow, sweat, or cold water. A person may also become confused as their body temperature falls, making it harder for them to recognize the danger or protect themselves.

Preparation, appropriate clothing, safe heating, limited outdoor exposure, and regular check-ins can prevent many cold-weather emergencies.

Understand Temperature and Wind Chill

Wind chill describes how cold the air feels on exposed skin when temperature and wind are considered together.

Wind removes the thin layer of warm air near the body. As wind speed increases, exposed skin loses heat more quickly, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

Before going outside, check:

  • Air temperature
  • Wind chill
  • Precipitation
  • Expected duration of the cold
  • Road and sidewalk conditions
  • Local emergency alerts
  • Whether warming centers are open

Do not judge safety only by looking outside. A clear, sunny day can still have a dangerously low wind chill.

Who Is at Greater Risk?

Anyone can be harmed by cold, but risk may be higher for:

  • Infants
  • Children
  • Older adults
  • People living alone
  • People without reliable heat
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Outdoor workers
  • People with limited mobility
  • People with memory problems
  • People with heart or circulation conditions
  • People with diabetes
  • People with thyroid disorders
  • People with Parkinson’s disease
  • People with arthritis
  • People with poor nutrition or low body weight
  • People taking certain medications
  • People who drink alcohol or use other substances
  • People who become wet or exhausted

Older adults may lose body heat more quickly and may not recognize that they are becoming dangerously cold. The National Institute on Aging notes that medical conditions, age-related changes, and some medications can interfere with the body’s response to cold.

Prepare Before Cold Weather Arrives

Before winter or an expected cold snap:

  • Have the heating system inspected.
  • Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Seal obvious drafts.
  • Weather-strip doors and windows.
  • Insulate exposed pipes.
  • Arrange fuel delivery early.
  • Refill necessary medication.
  • Prepare for power outages.
  • Charge phones and backup batteries.
  • Identify a warming center.
  • Arrange transportation.
  • Stock food that does not require cooking.
  • Keep extra blankets and warm clothing accessible.
  • Check emergency supplies in the vehicle.
  • Plan how to check on vulnerable household members.

Do not wait until a storm begins to request heating assistance or arrange transportation.

In the United States, calling 211 may help locate warming centers, transportation, energy assistance, shelters, and other community resources.

Helpful Resources: Browse Cold Weather Essentials for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Keep the Home Warm Enough

A home does not have to feel extremely cold for someone to develop hypothermia.

The National Institute on Aging recommends setting the heat to at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit for older adults. Homes maintained between 60 and 65 degrees may be dangerous for some older people. NIA cold-weather safety guidance

To retain heat:

  • Close curtains and blinds at night.
  • Open curtains during sunny periods when this adds warmth.
  • Close doors to unused rooms when safe.
  • Use weather stripping around doors and windows.
  • Place draft-blocking material along exterior doors.
  • Wear warm indoor clothing.
  • Use socks, slippers, and blankets.
  • Keep interior doors open when needed for safe heat circulation.
  • Eat regular meals.
  • Drink enough fluids.
  • Monitor indoor temperature with a reliable thermometer.

Do not seal the home so tightly that required appliance ventilation is blocked.

If the home cannot remain safely heated, go to a warming center, shelter, hotel, or the home of a trusted person.

Use Heating Equipment Safely

Heating equipment can cause fires, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Furnaces and boilers

  • Have equipment inspected by a qualified professional.
  • Keep vents and flues clear.
  • Replace filters as directed.
  • Do not store combustible items near the equipment.
  • Report unusual odors, sounds, soot, or repeated shutdowns.
  • Do not attempt gas or combustion repairs without proper qualifications.

Fireplaces and woodstoves

  • Have chimneys inspected and cleaned regularly.
  • Use a secure screen or door.
  • Burn only approved materials.
  • Keep furniture, paper, and decorations away.
  • Never use gasoline or another accelerant.
  • Allow ashes to cool before placing them in a metal container outdoors.
  • Never leave an active fire unattended.

Portable space heaters

  • Place the heater on a firm, level surface.
  • Keep at least three feet of clearance from anything that can burn.
  • Plug it directly into a wall outlet.
  • Do not use an extension cord or power strip.
  • Keep children and pets away.
  • Turn it off when leaving the room or sleeping.
  • Do not cover it.
  • Do not use it near water.
  • Stop using it if the plug or cord becomes hot.

Use only equipment designed and approved for indoor heating.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by fuel-burning equipment.

Never use the following inside a home, garage, basement, shed, tent, carport, or other enclosed area:

  • Portable generator
  • Charcoal grill
  • Gas grill
  • Camp stove
  • Gasoline-powered engine
  • Outdoor heater
  • Pressure washer

Never use a gas oven or range to heat the home.

Operate generators outdoors, more than 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, with exhaust directed away from buildings.

Install carbon monoxide alarms:

  • On every level
  • Outside sleeping areas
  • According to the manufacturer’s instructions

Test alarms monthly.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds:

  1. Get everyone outside immediately.
  2. Call 911 from outside.
  3. Do not return until emergency professionals say it is safe.

Do not attempt to investigate the source before leaving.

Dress in Layers

Layers trap warm air and allow clothing to be adjusted as conditions change.

A practical system includes:

Inner layer

Choose material that moves moisture away from the skin.

Wet clothing pulls heat away from the body. Avoid relying on cotton as the only inner layer during prolonged cold exposure because it can hold moisture.

Middle layer

Use insulating material such as:

  • Fleece
  • Wool
  • Down
  • Another appropriate insulating fabric

Outer layer

Use a layer that protects against:

  • Wind
  • Rain
  • Snow

The outer layer should be water-resistant or waterproof when conditions are wet.

Also wear:

  • A warm hat
  • A scarf or face covering
  • Insulated gloves or mittens
  • Warm socks
  • Waterproof footwear
  • Shoes or boots with nonslip soles

Mittens generally retain more warmth than gloves because the fingers share heat.

Clothing should fit comfortably. Tight socks, boots, or gloves can reduce circulation and increase cold-injury risk.

Keep Clothing Dry

Moisture can cause rapid heat loss.

  • Change out of wet clothing immediately.
  • Carry spare socks and gloves.
  • Remove snow before it melts into clothing.
  • Avoid sweating heavily.
  • Remove a layer before becoming overheated.
  • Put layers back on during rest.
  • Store extra clothing in a waterproof bag.

Someone who becomes wet should move indoors or into shelter as soon as possible.

Hypothermia can occur at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit when a person is wet or submerged in cold water. CDC hypothermia guidance

Limit Time Outdoors

During severe cold:

  • Stay indoors when possible.
  • Complete essential trips during daylight.
  • Avoid going out alone.
  • Tell someone where you are going.
  • Carry a charged phone.
  • Use delivery services when available.
  • Take frequent warming breaks.
  • Keep outdoor tasks brief.
  • Avoid isolated locations.
  • Monitor exposed skin.
  • Stop if you become numb, clumsy, confused, or unusually tired.

Do not depend on physical activity alone to stay warm. Sweating followed by rest can make the body cool rapidly.

Protect the Face, Fingers, and Toes

Frostbite most commonly affects:

  • Fingers
  • Toes
  • Nose
  • Ears
  • Cheeks
  • Chin

Cover exposed skin and check frequently for:

  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Tingling
  • Stinging
  • Numbness
  • Pale or waxy areas

A person may not realize frostbite is developing because numbness reduces warning pain.

Ask someone else to check your face when conditions are severe.

Prevent Falls on Snow and Ice

Cold weather increases fall risk.

To walk more safely:

  • Wear low-heeled, nonslip footwear.
  • Take short, slow steps.
  • Keep hands out of pockets.
  • Use railings.
  • Avoid carrying loads that block your view.
  • Use a cane or walking aid with an appropriate ice attachment when recommended.
  • Walk on treated paths.
  • Avoid shiny or dark areas that may be ice.
  • Give yourself additional time.
  • Keep entrances well lit.
  • Apply ice melt, sand, or another appropriate traction product.

Do not rush to cross a street or catch transportation.

If conditions are unsafe, postpone the trip or request assistance.

Clear Walkways Safely

Snow removal can involve heavy exertion, cold exposure, and falls.

Before shoveling:

  • Ask whether the task is safe for your health.
  • Warm up indoors.
  • Dress in layers.
  • Wear traction footwear.
  • Use a lightweight shovel.
  • Take frequent breaks.
  • Push snow when possible instead of lifting it.
  • Lift smaller amounts.
  • Avoid twisting.
  • Stop for chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, or weakness.

Snow shoveling can place significant strain on the heart, especially when snow is wet or heavy.

People with heart disease, poor fitness, a history of stroke, or medical restrictions should ask for help rather than shoveling.

Call 911 for chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, or other possible heart-attack symptoms.

Prepare the Vehicle

Before winter driving:

  • Check the battery.
  • Check tires and tire pressure.
  • Check antifreeze.
  • Keep the fuel tank adequately filled.
  • Inspect windshield wipers.
  • Use appropriate windshield fluid.
  • Keep an ice scraper and snow brush.
  • Maintain the exhaust system.
  • Tell someone your route.
  • Check road conditions.

Keep an emergency kit containing:

  • Blankets
  • Extra warm clothing
  • Hat and gloves
  • Water
  • Shelf-stable food
  • Flashlight
  • Phone charger or power bank
  • First-aid supplies
  • Necessary medication
  • Ice scraper
  • Small shovel
  • Traction material
  • Jumper cables
  • Bright cloth or emergency marker

Do not leave medication in the vehicle when temperatures may damage it.

If You Become Stranded in a Vehicle

Unless the vehicle is in an immediately dangerous location, it is often easier for rescuers to find you if you remain with it.

  • Call 911 or roadside assistance.
  • Share your exact or best-known location.
  • Turn on hazard lights.
  • Display a bright cloth or emergency marker.
  • Move supplies into the passenger area.
  • Put on extra clothing.
  • Huddle with others while maintaining safe breathing space.
  • Stay awake and monitor one another.
  • Conserve phone power.
  • Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow.
  • Follow emergency instructions regarding engine use and ventilation.

Do not leave the vehicle to walk for help unless remaining there is more dangerous or responders direct you.

Never sleep in a running vehicle with a blocked or snow-covered tailpipe. Carbon monoxide can enter the passenger compartment.

Protect Against Cold During a Power Outage

If the heat stops:

  • Close blinds and curtains.
  • Block drafts.
  • Gather household members in a smaller safe room.
  • Wear several layers.
  • Use blankets and sleeping bags.
  • Eat and drink regularly.
  • Monitor indoor temperature.
  • Check on older adults, infants, and medically vulnerable people.
  • Go to a warming center before conditions become dangerous.

Never use:

  • A gas oven for heating
  • A charcoal grill indoors
  • A generator indoors or in a garage
  • A camp stove indoors
  • An outdoor propane heater inside
  • Candles as the primary light source

Use battery-powered lights when possible.

If the home becomes too cold, leave while transportation remains available. Do not wait until someone develops symptoms.

Medication and Cold Weather

Some medications may affect:

  • Body-temperature regulation
  • Alertness
  • Blood flow
  • Balance
  • Thirst
  • Ability to recognize cold

Certain over-the-counter cold products may also interact with prescriptions or raise blood pressure.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist:

  • Whether your medications affect cold tolerance
  • Whether cold remedies are safe
  • How medication should be stored
  • What to do during a power outage
  • Whether a medical condition changes cold-weather precautions

Do not stop prescription medication without professional guidance.

Some devices, liquids, and medications can be damaged by freezing. Protect insulin, inhalers, liquid medicine, test strips, and battery-powered medical equipment according to their storage instructions.

Eating and Drinking in Cold Weather

The body needs energy and fluids to produce heat.

  • Eat regular meals.
  • Keep shelf-stable food available.
  • Drink water regularly.
  • Have warm nonalcoholic drinks.
  • Avoid becoming dehydrated.
  • Follow medical dietary and fluid restrictions.

Alcohol creates a temporary sensation of warmth because blood moves closer to the skin, but this can increase heat loss. It also impairs judgment and coordination.

Do not give alcohol to someone who is cold or may have hypothermia.

Recognizing Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when skin and deeper tissues freeze.

Signs may include:

  • Redness or pain at first
  • Tingling or stinging
  • Numbness
  • White, grayish-yellow, or bluish skin
  • Firm or waxy skin
  • Swelling
  • Blisters after rewarming
  • Loss of coordination in fingers or toes

Severe frostbite can permanently damage tissue and may lead to amputation.

The CDC identifies numbness and white, grayish-yellow, firm, or waxy skin as possible signs of frostbite. CDC frostbite guidance

What to Do for Suspected Frostbite

Seek medical care.

While arranging help:

  1. Move the person to a warm location.
  2. Check for signs of hypothermia.
  3. Remove wet clothing and constricting jewelry.
  4. Protect the affected area.
  5. Avoid walking on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary.
  6. Rewarm only when there is no risk that the area will freeze again.
  7. Follow professional instructions.

If immediate medical care is unavailable and refreezing will not occur, the affected area may be placed in warm—not hot—water that feels comfortable to unaffected skin.

Do not:

  • Rub or massage the area
  • Rub it with snow
  • Break blisters
  • Use a heating pad
  • Use a heat lamp
  • Hold it near a fireplace
  • Place it against a radiator
  • Walk unnecessarily on frostbitten feet
  • Thaw tissue if it may refreeze

Frostbitten skin may be numb and can burn easily.

Recognizing Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it and the core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Early signs may include:

  • Shivering
  • Exhaustion
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Pale skin
  • Clumsiness
  • Fumbling hands
  • Poor coordination
  • Slowed thinking
  • Memory problems
  • Slurred speech
  • Irritability
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion

Severe signs may include:

  • Shivering that stops
  • Stiff or jerky movements
  • Very slow breathing
  • Weak or slow pulse
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Apparent absence of breathing or pulse

A person with hypothermia may insist that they are fine or may resist help because their judgment is impaired.

In infants, signs may include:

  • Bright red, cold skin
  • Very low energy
  • Weak cry
  • Poor feeding
  • Unusual sleepiness

What to Do for Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency.

Call 911

Do not delay because the person is still awake.

Move the person carefully

  • Bring them into a warm room or shelter.
  • Handle them gently.
  • Remove wet clothing.
  • Dry the skin.
  • Wrap them in dry blankets, towels, coats, or sleeping bags.
  • Cover the head and neck while keeping the face clear.

Warm the center of the body first

Focus on:

  • Chest
  • Neck
  • Head
  • Groin

Use:

  • Warm, dry compresses
  • An electric blanket when safely available
  • Skin-to-skin contact beneath dry loose layers

Do not begin by aggressively heating the hands and feet. Warming the extremities first may worsen stress on the heart and circulation.

Offer a warm drink only when safe

A warm, nonalcoholic drink may be offered only if the person is:

  • Fully awake
  • Able to swallow
  • Not vomiting
  • Not having a seizure

Do not give anything by mouth to a confused, very drowsy, seizing, or unconscious person.

Monitor breathing

If the person is not breathing normally:

  • Begin CPR.
  • Use an AED if available.
  • Continue until emergency professionals take over.

The CDC advises handling a person with severe hypothermia gently and beginning CPR when they appear not to be breathing normally. A severely cold person may sometimes be successfully resuscitated even when they initially appear lifeless. CDC hypothermia guidance

What Not to Do for Hypothermia

Do not:

  • Give alcohol
  • Place the person in a very hot bath
  • Apply direct heat
  • Use a heating pad directly on the skin
  • Rub the arms or legs
  • Make the person walk
  • Handle them roughly
  • Assume that shivering stopping means improvement
  • Leave them alone
  • Delay 911

Rapid or uneven warming can create additional medical problems.

Cold-Water Exposure

Cold water removes body heat much faster than cold air.

If someone falls into cold water:

  • Call 911.
  • Do not enter dangerous water unless trained and equipped.
  • Throw a flotation device or reach from a stable position.
  • Help the person out when this can be done safely.
  • Remove wet clothing.
  • Begin gentle core warming.
  • Monitor breathing.
  • Begin CPR if needed.

A person rescued from cold water may have hypothermia even if they are awake and speaking.

Protect Children

Children lose heat more quickly than many adults and may not recognize danger.

  • Dress them in one more layer than an adult might wear.
  • Keep clothing dry.
  • Use waterproof outerwear.
  • Provide regular indoor warming breaks.
  • Check fingers, toes, ears, and cheeks.
  • Do not allow unsupervised play near frozen water.
  • Replace wet gloves and socks.
  • Watch for unusual quietness, clumsiness, or irritability.

Avoid bulky coats beneath child car-seat harnesses because they can prevent a secure fit. Buckle the child in wearing thinner warm layers and place a blanket over the secured harness.

Never cover a baby’s face with a blanket.

Protect Pets

Pets can develop frostbite and hypothermia.

  • Bring pets indoors.
  • Limit outdoor time.
  • Provide fresh, unfrozen water.
  • Use appropriate protective clothing when needed.
  • Wipe ice, snow, and salt from paws.
  • Check between toes.
  • Keep antifreeze secured and clean spills immediately.
  • Tap the vehicle hood before starting the engine because animals may seek warmth nearby.

Do not leave a pet in a parked vehicle during extreme cold.

Contact a veterinarian for shivering, weakness, pale skin, slow breathing, confusion, or collapse.

Check on Other People

During severe cold, check on:

  • Older neighbors
  • People living alone
  • People with disabilities
  • Families with infants
  • People without reliable heating
  • People with chronic medical conditions
  • Anyone who may have difficulty asking for help

Ask:

  • Is the home warm enough?
  • Is the heating system working?
  • Are they dressed warmly?
  • Do they have food, water, and medication?
  • Are they alert and speaking normally?
  • Do they need transportation?
  • Are their pets safe?

An in-person check may reveal problems that are not apparent by text message.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

During extreme cold:

  • Do not underestimate wind chill.
  • Do not remain in wet clothing.
  • Do not wear clothing so tight that it restricts circulation.
  • Do not drink alcohol to stay warm.
  • Do not heat the home with a gas oven.
  • Do not operate a generator indoors or near building openings.
  • Do not ignore a carbon monoxide alarm.
  • Do not shovel heavy snow when medically unsafe.
  • Do not walk quickly on ice.
  • Do not rub frostbitten skin.
  • Do not use direct heat on numb tissue.
  • Do not thaw frostbite when refreezing may occur.
  • Do not give drinks to an unconscious or confused person.
  • Do not place someone with hypothermia in a hot bath.
  • Do not assume stopped shivering means recovery.
  • Do not wait for severe confusion before calling 911.

A Simple Extreme-Cold Checklist

  1. Check the temperature, wind chill, and local alerts.
  2. Keep the home adequately heated.
  3. Use heating equipment safely.
  4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  5. Dress in warm, loose, dry layers.
  6. Cover the head, face, hands, and feet.
  7. Limit outdoor time.
  8. Wear nonslip footwear.
  9. Avoid unsafe snow shoveling.
  10. Prepare the vehicle and an emergency kit.
  11. Check on vulnerable people and pets.
  12. Move indoors at the first signs of numbness or confusion.
  13. Seek medical care for frostbite.
  14. Call 911 for suspected hypothermia.
  15. Warm the person gently while help is coming.

Extreme cold becomes dangerous when exposure lasts longer than expected, clothing becomes wet, or someone does not recognize the warning signs. Preparing early and responding quickly can prevent a serious medical emergency.

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Important Health & Safety Notice

The information in this guide is provided for general educational purposes only. Independence Answers is not a medical provider, and this content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or supervision. Always follow the instructions of your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional, especially if you have a medical condition, take medication, or are unsure whether an action is safe for you.

Do not ignore or delay seeking professional care because of something you read here. If you believe someone may be experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.