By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ

PONTIAC – With the temperatures steady in the negative numbers for the past few days with forecasts of negative to single digits in the coming days, saving yourself from frostbite becomes important when staying indoors isn’t an option.

Dr. Patrick Dowling, attending emergency physician at OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center, said the thing people need to remember is to dress in layers for the cold, and that there are things you can do if you feel you’ve been overexposed to the frigid temperatures.

“If you’re out in the cold and worried that you’re getting overexposed, the most important thing is, obviously, to get out of the cold,” Dr. Dowling explained. “Then remove all your wet clothing, dry yourself off, wrap up in dry clothes and warm blankets, and get near a heat source.”

Dr. Dowling also said a concerning symptom of mild hypothermia is when muscles stop shivering after being overexposed to the cold. He said if this happens, you should go to the emergency department for evaluation.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].