Maine.gov logo
Agency logo

Home → Healthy Living → Health and Safety → Climate and Health → Cold-related Illness

Cold-related Illness

Prolonged exposure to the cold can be dangerous and life-threatening. During Maine's long winters, people are at risk of cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia and frostbite. People most likely to be exposed to dangerous cold include those who lack shelter, work outdoors, or live in homes with inadequate heat. Seniors, infants, people with chronic cardiovascular or lung conditions, people using alcohol or drugs, and people with cognitive impairments or mental health conditions are at increased risk.

Preventing Hypothermia

Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures that cause the body to lose heat faster than it's produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up a body's stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature.

Body temperature that is too low negatively affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it's happening and may not be able to do anything about it.

Warnings signs of hypothermia for adults include shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness. Bright red, cold skin or very low energy are hypothermia symptoms for babies.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If someone has any signs, take their temperature and get them immediate medical attention if it is below 95° F.

Find a warming center near you

Preventing Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury that occurs when a body part freezes after being exposed to cold. It leads to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, typically the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

Signs of frostbite include redness or pain in any skin area, white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness. A person who has frostbite may not know they have it until someone else points it out because the frozen parts of their body are numb.

As with hypothermia, someone with frostbite symptoms should get to a warm shelter as soon as possible and seek medical attention if their situation does not improve. If you suspect someone is experiencing frostbite, warm the center of their body first by removing any wet clothing and wrapping them in blankets. Do not immerse the person in warm water. Warming the body too quickly can cause heart arrhythmia.

The easiest way to prevent hypothermia and frostbite is to stay indoors and warm during stretches of very cold weather. If you must go outside, dress in warm layered clothing with a water-resistant jacket and boots. Cover the head, face, ears, fingers, and mouth. If you are spending time alone in the woods tell someone where you are going and pack extra food, a blanket and warm clothing.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a gas that can cause sickness, coma or death when it builds up in enclosed spaces. It is not seen, does not smell and cannot be tasted. Warning signs of poisoning include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion, but no fever. Carbon monoxide exposure results in over 100 emergency department visits each year in Maine. Every home in Maine should have a carbon monoxide detector--about half of Maine homes do not have a carbon monoxide detector.

Fact sheet: Protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning (PDF)

To Avoid CO Poisoning During Power Outages:

  • Place generators outdoors in a well-ventilated location.
  • Ensure the generator is at least 15 feet away from home windows or doors, including those of neighboring homes and buildings. Make sure the generator's exhaust is directed away from doors, windows, and vents.
  • Ensure the generator is not place in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space, such as a basement, cellar bulkhead, or attached garage, where carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels.
  • Use kerosene heaters in a well-ventilated room, by either keeping doors to other rooms open or keeping a window partially open (at least 1 inch) Use only K-1 grade fuel in kerosene heaters. Follow instructions for setting the wick height.
  • Do not use outdoor cooking devices indoors (such as gas or charcoal grills, gas camp stoves).
  • Do not use indoor gas cooking stoves for heat.
  • Keep chimney flue and a window open when burning decorative gas fireplace logs as a heat source.
  • Place an electric carbon monoxide detector with battery back-up power outside each sleeping area. CO detectors are available in most stores. Look for the UL mark with the "Single Station Carbon Monoxide Alarm" statement. By law, all rental units must have a CO detector. Talk to your landlord if you don't have one in your apartment or rental house. (Read the law.)

More Information