Frostbite and cold exposure can turn deadly without quick action
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Alabama Department of Public Health is warning residents to take extra precautions during extremely cold weather to prevent medical emergencies like hypothermia and frostbite. Health officials warn that both conditions can develop rapidly and become life-threatening without quick action. They also remind residents to use generators safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Cold weather might seem mild to some, but it can pose serious health risks if proper precautions are not taken.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) urged people to recognize the early signs of cold-related illnesses and take preventive steps. Recent data show that 11 people in Alabama died from hypothermia-related causes in 2024, 13 in 2023, and 18 in 2022.
“Hypothermia is a medical emergency that can be fatal,” ADPH officials said. The condition occurs when a person’s body temperature falls below 95°F. When exposed to freezing air, the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, which means hypothermia can set in within minutes…