TULSA, Okla. — Severely cold temperatures have arrived in Green Country meaning there’s a possibility of becoming sick or injured due to the weather.

While most people know how to keep their homes safe, EMSA said it’s important to watch out for your body as well and be aware of hypothermia and frostbite.

With temperatures dropping and the winter months ahead, the emergency medical services said watching how long you stay outside is crucial.

“Please limit any time outside when the temperatures drop,” said Riley Howard, the Community and Special Event Coordinator for EMSA. “It’s important to limit any time outdoors and to avoid any exposure to the cold. If you have to go outside, take breaks indoors to warm up.”

Howard also works as a paramedic and dispatcher. He said it’s very important to wear more than just a coat.

“Of course, wear multiple layers. Dressing in layers helps trap that body heat [and] keeps you warmer than a single heavy garment,” said Howard. “Also, don’t forget your hats, gloves, and scarves to protect your extremities.”

Howard said once your extremities are exposed or they aren’t properly covered, you can face issues ;like hypothermia and frostbite.

“Frostbite can cause numbness and discoloration of the fingers and toes and other exposed areas. Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness,” said Howard. “In the early stages, you are going to feel the stinging and burning...in the extremities. That’s your immediate warning that it’s time to take a break, maybe get some new gloves or undergarment(s)...Once you can no longer feel those extremities, that’s when you are going into hypothermia. Once your body has stopped telling you, ‘Hey, this is too cold,’ you need to get inside. That’s when you’re really in danger and you need to call for help.”

Howard said if you notice any of these signs, to seek medical attention. Both paramedics and EMTs at MESA are trained to respond and treat cold-related injuries and illnesses.

“We always, whether it;s a weather event or just a normal day, check on your neighbors, friends and families. Make it a habit to check on elderly neighbors,especially as they are vulnerable during these extreme cold events,” Howard said.

He said if you go outside in these temperatures, keep your phone on you so you can call for help if needed.

Howard said EMSA has a special team that comes to help and make sure everyone is ready for the cold.

“We’ve got a lot of different departments that all kind of come together for these large weather events and it’s a combination of educating our team and educating the public so we can work best together to get through it,” said Howard.

He said how they prepare usually depends on what is exactly happening outside.

“Depending on the type of weather event, we’ll change out tires so that we have snow tires on,” said Howard. “Mostly all of our trucks have snow chains on them as well.”

While there hasn’t been any major snow or ice impact yet, Howard said they are prepared to handle the effects of the cold weather right now.

He said a known myth is people will drink alcohol to stay warm, but he said it’s not a great idea.

“Avoid alcohol. It will make you feel warm temporarily, but it actually lowers your core body temperature and increases your risk of hypothermia,” said Howard.

While cold weather continues, Howard said to be aware of the different warming stations and overflow shelters that are available.