In response to the cold weather expected in the next few days, the Health Bureau (SSM) urged members of the public on Friday to avoid hypothermia, i.e., prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures, and to bundle up, senior citizens and patients with chronic diseases in particular.
An SSM statement quoted the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) as forecasting that under the impact of a strong monsoon, local temperatures would remain low over the next few days, and were expected to drop to as low as 10 degrees Celsius.
The bureau also urged people and associations responsible for caring for the elderly and patients with chronic diseases to take appropriate care measures, such as ensuring that they are wearing more clothes with dry, light, comfortable, breathable and warm materials, keeping warm at home, eating food that is high in calories and easy to digest, such as hot milk, soup, congee and noodles, and doing appropriate exercises indoors or in sunny areas to protect themselves from the cold weather.
The statement underlined that in order not to interfere with blood circulation and movement, the clothing should not be excessively bulky and tight. The statement added that if senior citizens have incontinence, they should have their wet nappies and trousers changed frequently.
Hot water bottles, electric gel heating pads and electric blankets should not be used by people that are heat intolerant, such as those suffering from diabetes and myelopathy (a disorder in which the tissue of the spinal cord is diseased or damaged), the statement added.
The bureau urged the public not to be deceived into believing that alcohol can keep the body warm, adding that although alcohol can dilate blood vessels that enables people to feel warm immediately after drinking, it will accelerate the loss of body heat afterwards.
The bureau also urged the public to pay close attention to weather changes, especially when the temperature drops sharply in a short period of time, and to be alert to prevent hypothermia due to the cold.
The statement pointed out that maintaining the right amount of exercise can generate heat energy in the body, help maintain body temperature, keep joints flexible, and improve blood circulation.
The statement stressed that family members and relatives should care for and assist the elderly and encourage and remind them to take appropriate measures against the cold, whilst for those who live alone or are ill, neighbours are asked to call or visit them regularly, so as to reduce the chance of accidents.
If residents find any person suffering from hypothermia, or experiencing symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slow heartbeat, confusion or impaired awareness, they should get the person to a hospital for treatment as quickly as possible, or call the emergency hotline 999 or the Fire Service Bureau (CB) on 2857 2222.
Cold shelter opens as mercury drops
The city’s temporary cold weather shelter located at E1 Bairro da Ilha Verde Building on Rua Leste da Ilha Verde (青洲東街34號青洲坊大廈E1) opened yesterday, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) said in a statement yesterday.
The shelter opened in response to the hoisting of the Yellow cold weather alert by the observatory yesterday.
The IAS statement noted that the shelter will provide facility users with a mattress and a quilt, as well as food and beverages free of charge.
Customarily, the shelter stays open between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. when the temperature falls to 14 degrees or lower.
The bureau urged residents to keep an eye on senior citizens who live alone, suffer from chronic diseases or frail health, and to be ready for the cold weather.
Enquiries about the shelter can be made by calling 2827 0939 during office hours or 6399 1963 during non-office hours.
This poster provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) yesterday provides members of the public with tips to keep warm.
