“severe cold” vigilance concerns a third of France, what you need to know

FRANCE – Freezing temperatures. The thermometer fell very low this Tuesday, January 14, with up to -10°C in places, making it the coldest morning since the start of this winter. Result: around thirty departments were placed on yellow “severe cold” vigilance until at least Wednesday midnight.

In total, 27 departments are on yellow alert: Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, Indre, Cher, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Yonne, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Loire, Jura, Doubs, Haute-Saône, Haut-Rhin, Territoire de Belfort, Bas-Rhin, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Vosges, Haute-Marne, Marne, Aube, Côte-d’Or, Ardennes and Meuse. Furthermore, the Oise is on orange alert for floods.

The mercury is likely to remain very low all day this Tuesday. Météo France estimates that temperatures should not exceed 1 to 5°C “generally inland”. The Mediterranean border, however, is an exception: up to 15°C is expected there in the afternoon.

A mass of air “softer and wetter” must make its entry into France on Wednesday, which should allow us to quickly regain a few degrees. Until then, the inhabitants of a third of the country are concerned by extreme cold vigilance, which involves staying at home as much as possible and taking several precautions if you go out.

Beware of the elderly

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to these periods of extreme cold, because with age, the body perceives temperature variations less well and the blood vessels react less effectively. People suffering from heart problems, respiratory failure or neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, are even more exposed.

To limit the risks, it is recommended to stay warm, that is to say, to keep your home at a temperature of at least 19°C. You can also ask for help with your shopping or have your medication delivered directly to your home. Also remember to regularly update your loved ones.

Protect the little ones

Newborns and infants have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature. Additionally, unlike adults, they cannot express that they are cold. With prolonged exposure, they risk quickly developing hypothermia, which can be serious.

Unless absolutely necessary, limit your infant’s outings. If you have to go out, make sure he is well bundled up. Choose warm, layered clothing, which insulates better against the cold, as well as a hat, because a large part of body heat is lost through the head. You can touch his hands, feet or neck to check that he is not cold.

Frostbite, hypothermia… what to do if the cold hits you

“Low temperatures, especially when accompanied by wind, can cause superficial frostbite, frostbite, and even hypothermia”warns the Ministry of Health.

Frostbite is fairly easy to spot: it forms a white or gray-yellow area, firm or numb. This can happen quickly, especially if the skin is wet or in strong winds. If you notice this, gently immerse the area in lukewarm, not hot, water and seek medical attention. Do not rub or use a direct heat source such as a radiator or hot water bottle: this can make things worse.

When it’s very cold, the skin and tissues underneath can also completely freeze. This causes numb areas, sometimes blue-black, with blisters. These injuries are very serious and require immediate treatment by emergency services. Call 15 or 112 and do not attempt to warm the area yourself.

In the event of hypothermia, it is also important to act quickly. A person experiencing hypothermia has a body temperature below 35°C, and this can be identified by a few signs: severe fatigue, clumsy movements, confusion, and sometimes fainting. Homeless people are particularly exposed to this risk. You must immediately put the person inside, change their clothes if they are wet, cover them with blankets, and call 15 or 112 without delay.