Potentially Lethal Cold Temperatures Coming Soon

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -State health officials want you to be aware of the risk of hypothermia and frostbite as bone-chilling temperatures grip the state. Infants and the elderly are most at risk.

Hypothermia can cause forgetfulness, drowsiness and slurred speech. It can be fatal, so if a person’s temperature drops to 95 degrees or less, call an ambulance or take the person to a hospital.

Cool indoor temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees can trigger hypothermia. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends setting indoor temperatures to 65 degrees and checking on elderly friends and neighbors to make sure they have enough heat.