The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging residents to be mindful of the hypothermia and frostbite as extremely cold temperatures continue to persist in the KMMO listening area.

Frostbite is a skin injury that occurs when body tissues freeze due to exposure to extremely cold temperatures. Redness or pain on any skin could be the first sign of frostbite. Other signs include numbness, firm or waxy skin, and a white or grayish skin area.

Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Some signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness.

Anyone that might have frostbite or hypothermia should seek immediate medical attention. Immediate action individuals can take includes getting to a warm area, removing any wet clothing, warming up with dry layers, and placing area affected by frostbite in warm water.

Both frostbite and hypothermia can take affect in minutes, especially when wind chills reach below zero.