Those exposed to the elements for a prolonged period of time face frostbite and hypothermia but some common sense can keep you safe.

Arctic air has Stark County in its grip with "dangerously cold wind chills" continuing through Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials are warning those who need to be outside for a prolonged period of time to take the necessary precautions and stay safe.

Dr. Frank Kaeberlein, who chairs the department of emergency medicine at Mercy Medical Center, said bitterly cold weather increases the chance for frostbite and hypothermia though, even if temperatures rise, people still run the chance of falling victim to the conditions.

"If it's 30 degrees and you are soaking wet because of rain and there is wind, you can lose heat very rapidly and face hypothermia," he said.

A combination of temperature, wind, prolonged exposure and underlying medical and physiological conditions can play into a person's risk.

When the wind makes the air temperature feel even colder on your skin, frostbite and hypothermia can be more likely if precautions are not taken.

The area is expecting frigid wind chills ranging from 0 to 25 below zero, the weather service reports.

Schools close

Many school districts have responded to the forecast by cancelling classes Friday.

On Thursday, many local students braved the weather to attend school as temperatures hovered between 12 to14 degrees while kids waited at bus stops. The wind child made it feel more like minus 1 to minus 4, National Weather Service records indicate.

Tuslaw Superintendent Melissa Marconi said area superintendents considered canceling school on Wednesday and Thursday and opted not to.

As Mother Nature's frosty grip tightened, however, officials decided it would be too much for students to attend school Friday.

The forecast was calling for wind chills of minus 20 degrees at 7 a.m. when many students would be waiting outside for buses, Marconi said.

"Typically a wind chill in the minus 15 to minus 20 range we believe it is too cold, especially for our primary students, to be out waiting for a bus," Marconi explained. "It's kind of a magical number we can use but there are other things we have to consider. If it is snowing and sleeting with a lesser wind child it might factor into us calling off."

In Tuslaw, Marconi said, most students are picked up in front of their homes — not so for city districts such as Massillon and Canton where a number of kids walk to school or may wait at cluster stops.

Staying safe

If you have to brave the elements, Kaeberlein warns to use common sense and protect yourself by dressing in layers and wearing hats and gloves.

During the winter months, a number of cases of frostbite and hypothermia pass through the doors of local medical facilities.

Frostbite occurs when exposed skin, specifically extremities like fingers, toes and noses, are exposed to extreme cold for an extended period of time causing the skin to freeze and damages the cells.

Kaaeberlein said there are degrees of frostbite starting with the first stage — frostnip. Skin will become pale, red and waxy and the person could experience a numb, prickly feeling.

Warming up often combats the frostnip and people are left with no lasting damage.

In the next stage, skin will turn pale and the person will experience pain and stinging in the affected area. Blisters may form on the skin similar to a burn.

In more severe cases of frostbite, all layers of the skin will be impacted and large blisters will form on rewarming. Skin may turn black and hard.

Kaeberlein said anyone experiencing lesser signs of frostbite should head inside and warm up. If a person suspects a more serious case of frostbite, he or she should seek immediate medical attention.

Some cases of frostbite are temporary while severe cases could have permanent skin changes or the extremity could need to be amputated. The most severe cases could require ongoing medical care, Kaeberlein said, and patients would likely be referred to a burn unit.

People with poor circulation such as diabetics and those suffering from peripheral vascular disease often fall victim to the frostbite because they are unable to recognize the discomfort because of decreased sensation.

"The simplest way to avoid it is if you see the first stages, get inside and get warmed up," the doctor said. "For most people getting inside and warming up is all they need."

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing the body temperature to drop.

Kaeberlein said in the first phase of hypothermia the skin will be cool and pale and there will be numbness in extremities. As it reaches its worst stages, people will begin to shiver and could become lethargic, confused and unresponsive.

The doctor recommends making sure you are dressed for the weather such as wearing thick insulated socks and quality footwear made for the outdoors and winter weather. Kaeberlein also suggests opting for mittens instead of gloves.

​It's a good idea to take breaks to warm up by going inside. ​

People should also remain hydrated but should avoid alcoholic beverages and drug use, he said.

Helping those in need

Local agencies have seen a jump in people requesting help — from finding a warm place to stay, to getting help with heating costs or seeking warm hats, scarves, coats and gloves.

Becky Mathess, director of social services and housing outreach specialist at the Massillon Salvation Army, said people are seeking help to get heating fuel and to get utilities turned back on.

"Their fuel oil is going faster than normal and they don't have the money to replace it," she said.

Residents can make an appointment for the Stark County Community Action Agency's Home Energy Assistance Program, a federally-funded service that assists with short-term help for heating and cooling costs. Representatives are available twice a week at the Salvation Army to sign people up for the program, but residents must make an appointment through the automated appointment line. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Funds for the HEAP program are available through March 31.

Mathess said for those who need help before they can get an appointment with HEAP, the Salvation Army has emergency funds available through Dominion Energy Share, Ohio Edison Fuel Fund and United Way Assistance.

The Salvation Army also has a clothing closet and new and gently-used coats for men, women and children.

"It's not just our homeless but there are some residents that don't have warm clothing for this weather," she said.

Hats, gloves and mittens also are available.

Mathess encourages those who need help to call the Salvation Army. If they are not able to help, they will put them in touch with an agency  that can.

Calls to the Stark County Homeless Hotline have increased in the past two days, said Marcie Bragg, executive director of Stark Housing Network.

Many locations across the area, including the Salvation Army, have opened their doors to anyone who needs a place to warm up.

ICAN Housing, Refuge of Hope and Canton Frienship Center in Canton have opened their doors.

The Salvation Army in Canton and the Edward "Peel" Coleman Community Center will be open as a warming center and SARTA will provide free transportation between the warming centers on Friday and Saturday.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp2@indeonline.com

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