State health officials on Thursday confirmed Maryland's first hypothermia-related death of the winter, and took the opportunity to remind residents how to protect themselves.
State officials said the death of a Frederick County man aged 65 or older was confirmed sometime between Dec. 18 and 24. The release said no further information on the man would be released for privacy reasons.
By this time in 2011, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the Thursday release from state officials, Maryland had recorded one hypothermia-related death, and 15 for all of last winter.
Though hypothermia is commonly associated with cold weather, it actually occurs when the body's temperature drops below 95 degrees. Frostbite occurs when body tissue freezes. State officials say extremities, as well as cheeks, ears and the tip of the nose, are most vulnerable. Anyone with circulation issues, as well as the elderly and very young, are most at risk for frostbite, according to state officials.
Here are tips for avoiding hypothermia and frostbite, via a state press release sent Thursday. For more, state officials directed readers to a page on the Department of Health and Mental Hygeine's website.
- Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
- Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between the layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
- Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect lungs from direct cold air, and also cover your ears and the lower part of your face.
- Wear mittens, not gloves. The close contact of fingers helps to keep your hands warm.
- Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
- Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes to keep your feet warm and dry
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The original version of this article misstated the total hypothermia-related deaths for the 2011-2012 winter season. Patch regrets the error.
In Massachusetts some churches open their doors and provide shelter for the homeless..
Not to pick on any church or religion in particular, but I know of a local church that built a pretty nice banquet hall to hold wedding receptions and other events in it for a fee. Which begs the question, is it the church's obligation to help the homeless when we have other methods (although failing) to do so?
I think when you hit upon the term "obligation" is where people's opinions may differ. I personally think the community at large's obligation is to help others. I think of say Mission BBQ, that helps soldiers or local restaurants that donate a portion of their evening's proceeds for school fundraisers etc as examples of how the community can come together to support one another. I've seen businesses donate portions of their proceeds to help a family who is struggling with funeral or medical costs. I don't understand why the community at large doesn't do more through government programs and incentives. We treat the homeless as a social pariah that we don't wish to acknowledge or touch. Before you ask what I've done, I have done a lot of work helping the homeless in my past in different capacities, but I could do more. However, I think a lot of us could.
HMMM Luke 3:11 " He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." I guess we have to decide if we have more than one coat.
Sheeeshh.
More to the point about the homeless death: this is another cost of the poor availability of mental health care in this country. Most homeless people are mentally ill, and for many of them, no amount of shelter beds will bring them in out of the cold.