LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the temperature drop, doctors at UofL Health are warning about cold weather safety.

What You Need To Know

  • Doctors at UofL Health warned cold temperatures mean everyone should take precautions

  • Dr. Evan Kuhl said cold weather injuries tend to spike whether it’s slip and falls or frostbite
  • Dial 211 to find an emergency shelter and text ERWAIT or 511511 to determine wait times for an emergency room

“Frostbite can happen when your fingers get pale and when they start to get waxy and numb. We start worrying about your blood vessels are starting to cut off a little bit of that supply. So pain is one of the first things we worry about where we try to get back into the heat, get some gloves on, or protect that area,” said Dr. Evan Kuhl, UofL Health Jewish Hospital’s Medical Director and Emergency Medicine Physician.

“Unfortunately, I do expect to see hypothermic patients. We have patient populations (that) are at risk for hypothermia, whether those or indigent patients or patients who may not have the right heating or, living situation that provides a safe heating, situation. So I really want to encourage people to use the 211 line to get, access to those heating and warming locations. Because unfortunately, I do think this is going to result in patients coming to the E.R.,” Dr. Kuhl said.

He also warns that in places that normally don’t see severe cold weather, people may not know what to do.

“But when it happens less frequently, we’re not as familiar with heaters and how those work. And so people who may be using generators to create heat or heaters that are not made for indoor use. And so I really worry about carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is odorless. You can’t you can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You may just be dizzy or have a headache, but it can be lethal. And so having a significant awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning is very important when it comes to cold weather,” Dr. Kuhl said.

Finally, he said, if you’re hurt, get help.

“Really, I worry about people who try to tough it out. And so I see a trend of people who may have had a stroke or had an injury. They wait a few days until the weather gets better to come in, and that prevents us from providing life-saving therapies. So don’t try to tough it out. If you are having significant symptoms, you know the ERs are here for you and we want to help you,” Dr. Kuhl said.

UofL Health said there are two numbers to keep in mind. 211 to find an emergency shelter and text ERWAIT or 511511 to determine wait times for an emergency room.

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