While hypothermia generally occurs at very cold temperatures, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that it can happen even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

As winter approaches, it's important to know the warning signs of hypothermia and what to do if you notice those signs.

Warnings Signs of Hypothermia

Adults:

• Body temperature below 95 degrees
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion, fumbling hands
• Memory loss, disorientation
• Incoherence, slurred speech
• Drowsiness

Infants:

• Bright red, cold skin
• Very low energy

If someone is suffering from hypothermia, get medical attention immediately and begin warming the person until help arrives. Find several ways to warm a person on the CDC's Hypothermia page .

If you must go outside, prevent hypothermia by:

• Wearing several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Cover all of your body. Wear a hat and a scarf, covering your mouth to protect your face and to help prevent loss of body heat.

For more information on how to prepare for the winter, visit the America's PrepareAthon! Winter Storm section .

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) , half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February. So now is the time to make sure your home heating device is safe, before the weather turns bitter cold. Follow these USFA heating tips to maintain a fire safe home this winter.

• Keep anything that can burn at least three (3) feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

For more information on how to keep specific heating devices safe, such as a furnace, space heater, kerosene heater, fireplace or wood stove, visit the USFA's Heating Fire Safety page .

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their Winter Outlook , which predicts La Ni ñ a conditions that favor a warmer, drier South and a cooler, wetter North. Winter storms can occur anywhere and bring freezing rain, ice, snow, high winds or a combination of all these conditions. They can cause power outages that last for days or weeks; making it hard to keep warm and making travel very dangerous. Prepare now in case a winter storm hits, and you are home for several days without power and heat.

• Gather emergency supplies , make a family emergency communication plan , and discuss emergency notifications and expectations with your workplace and/or schools.
• Install battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you have a generator, keep it outside and have an electric cord long enough to keep the generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent.
• Make specific plans for how you will avoid driving.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions using local alerts , radio, and other news sources for information and instructions.

Find additional tips by visiting the America's PrepareAthon! Winter Storm section and downloading the How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide .