What to do if you're outside in the bitter cold temps
Jan 17, 2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Bitterly cold weather is making a return to KELOLAND. This weekend could bring some of the season's coldest temperatures.
No matter how cold it gets, some workers still have to spend time outdoors, including Sioux Falls street crews.
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"Sometimes they will have to get out. They have to get out, you know, before and do a pre-check of their equipment and a post-check when they're done or feeling activities that's all done outside or if something breaks down, they're going to have to get out," streets operations manager, Dustin Hansen said.
If you need to spend time outside, doctors recommend bundling up and protecting every part of your body. That includes your fingers, your face and even your eyes.
"Oftentimes, people will not wear appropriate eye protection while out. And if they're staring into the wind, you can actually get frostbite on the eyes," Sanford Family Practice Physician, Dr. Patrick Brau said.
The wind can make already cold temperatures even more dangerous.
"Your body warms up the air around it just through radiation, heat loss. When you have significant wind, you lose that cushion of warm air around your body. And so areas that are exposed to the wind, again, kind of like the fingers typically develop a rapid chilling effect versus, say, your core body," Brau said.
"When we do get those cold temperatures, we're always stressing to, you know, obviously take breaks, make sure you jump back inside your equipment or come inside the building to warm up on those really cold days," Hansen said.
They're important reminders as we brace for cold air to move in.
Dr. Brau says to watch out for symptoms of cold exposure, such as skin turning pale or experiencing confusion.
If you think you have hypothermia or frostbite, you should seek medical attention.