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Cold-Related Illness
Cold weather can put a person in a dangerous situation due to its effect on the body. Cold temperatures can impact your blood circulation, cardiovascular system and airways. Plan ahead, prepare your homes and vehicles and avoid going out into cold weather to stay healthy and protected.
Cold Weather Shelter Information
The overnight shelters are only open from 8 PM-7 AM between November 1-March 31 on nights that it is 32 degrees or colder between the hours of 10 PM and 4 AM.
Those needing shelter should come to Grace United Methodist Church at 600 S. Jefferson Ave. between 5:00-6:00 p.m. A hot meal is provided and buses will transport to the shelters at 6:30 p.m. The shelters and their capacities are listed below.
- Men Only (No pets)
- Women Only (No Pets)
- All Genders (No Pets)
- All Genders (With Pets)
- Family Shelters
- Day Shelters
Name | Address | Details |
---|---|---|
East Sunshine Church of Christ | 3721 E. Sunshine | 50 beds |
Sacred Heart Catholic Church | 1609 N. Summit Ave. | 25 beds, only open the 2 coldest nights each week |
Harbor House ONLY OPEN AFTER 1/1/2023 |
636 N. Boonville Ave. | ID required, no sex offenders, must pass UA, sobriety required, background checks. Call 417-831-3371 for information and availability. |
Name | Address | Phone | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Grace United Methodist Church | 600 S. Jefferson Ave. | 417-869-0765 | 20 beds |
Safe to Sleep | 627 N. Glenstone | 417-862-3586 | M-Sun: 7:30 pm-7:30 am Call for bed availability |
Name | Address | Phone | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Unity of Springfield | 2214 E. Seminole Street | 417-887-2214 | 22 beds |
St. John's Chapel | 4344 S. Fremont Ave. | 417-881-5175 | 15 beds will be open December 22-December 24 only. |
Youth Connect Center | 425 W McDaniel | 417-708-4117 | 8 beds for youth ages 13-18 |
Freedom City Church | 1477 N. Broadway | 417-631-9082 | 20 beds available December 22-December 24 only |
The Venues (overflow shelter) |
425 W. Walnut | 417-887-6922 | Call for hours and availability. This is an overflow shelter. |
Name | Address | Hours | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Asbury United Methodist Church | 1500 S. Campbell Avenue | Call 417-865-1335 for availability. | 35 beds Shelter open/closed information is shared via 417-379-7332, shelter Facebook pages and signs posted at Springfield Affordable Housing Center. |
Brentwood Christian Church | 1900 E. Barataria St. | 417-881-0144 | 20 beds, open December 22-24 only. Individuals will be allowed to stay during the day on December 23-24. |
Eden Village 1 (overflow shelter) |
2801 E. Division | 417-894-3972 | This overflow shelter in the community building can serve up to 25 individuals and pets. |
Name | Address | Hours | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
The Connecting Grounds | 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway | Call 417-986-2552 for hours and availability. | There is space for four families a night. Please call ahead at 417-501-9466 to reserve a space or check on availability. On nights when extreme weather overnight shelters are open. Must be at The Connecting Grounds by 7:00 pm to get transportation to overnight shelter. |
Salvation Army | 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway | Hours may vary. Please call for more information. | Must be accepted into the program before arrival. Call 417-862-5509. |
Name | Address | Hours |
---|---|---|
Ash Grove Branch Library | 101 E. Main St. | M-Th: 8:30 am-6:00 pm F: 8:30 am-5:00 pm Sat: 9:30 am-3:30 pm |
Ash Grove Sunshine Center | 310 N. Perryman | M-F, 8:00 am-3:00 pm |
Fair Grove Branch Library | 81 S. Orchard Blvd. | M-Sat.: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
The Library Station | 2535 N. Kansas Expressway | M-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Midtown Carnegie Branch Library | 397 E. Central St. | M-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Park Central Branch Library | 128 Park Central Square | M-F: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Rare Breed | 301 N. Main Ave. | M-F: 11:00 am-5:00 pm Serves youth ages 13-24 |
Republic Branch Library | 921 N. Lindsey Ave. | M-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Republic Senior Friendship Center | 210 East Hines | M-F: 7:00 am-3:00 pm |
Rogersville Area Senior Center | 197 S. Marshall | M-F: 8:00 am-3:30 pm |
Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library | 2214 Brentwood Boulevard | M-Th: 8:30 am-9:00 pm F-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
South Side Senior Center | 2215 S. Fremont | M-F: 8:00 am-4:00 pm |
Strafford Branch Library | 101 S. State Highway 125 | M-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Strafford Senior Center | 201 W. Bumgarner | M-F: 9:00 am-3:00 pm |
The Library Center | 4653 S. Campbell | M-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Willard Branch Library | 304 E. Jackson St. | M-Sat: 8:30 am-6:00 pm |
Tips to stay safe during cold weather:
- Stay indoors, if possible. If heat or shelter is not available, consider visiting a building open to the public like a shopping mall, public library, church or community building.
- Drink more fluids – regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty but avoid drinks containing caffeine and alcohol because they affect how your body reacts to the cold.
- Cover your head since most body heat is lost through the head.
- Dress in layers since the space between the layers works as insulation to help keep you warmer than a single heavy layer.
- Minimize sitting or squatting in the cold for prolonged periods of time. These activities can hinder circulation.
- Adjust to outdoor activity. Stretch and do a few exercises before going outside to work to avoid muscle strain. Extreme cold puts extra strain on the heart – no matter what your age or physical condition.
- Use the buddy system. Monitor the condition of those you’re with and have someone do the same for you.
- Carry extra clothes with you such as socks, gloves, hats and jacket so you can change them if you get wet
Types of Cold-Related Illness
Your body loses heat faster than it can be produced in cold weather. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures will exhaust your body’s energy, causing your body temperature to drop leading to hypothermia.
If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, memory loss, or thyroid problems, you may take medicines that make it hard to regulate your body temperature. Ask your doctor if this is an issue for you or any questions you might have about hypothermia.
Older adults are more sensitive to cold than younger adults. Body temperature below 95°F, or hypothermia, increases their risk of heart disease and kidney or liver damage, especially if they have a history of low body temperature or have had hypothermia in the past.
Early Symptoms:
- Shivering
- Fatigue
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion and disorientation
Late Symptoms:
- No shivering
- Blue skin
- Dilated pupils
- Slowed pulse and breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Treatments:
- Call 9-1-1 if you or someone else is showing possible signs of hypothermia.
- Move into a warm room or shelter.
- Remove any wet clothing.
- Warm the center of the body first-chest, neck, head, and groin-using an electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
- After their body temperature has increased, keep the victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
- If victim has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Frostbite is when parts of the body become so cold the skin and tissue begin to freeze, causing a loss of feeling and color in the affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage body tissues, and severe cases can lead to amputation.
Symptoms:
- Reduced blood flow to hands and feet (fingers or toes can freeze)
- Numbness
- Tingling or stinging
- Aching
- Bluish or pale, waxy skin
Treatment:
- Move into a warm room or shelter.
- Do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes unless there is no other option as this can cause more damage.
- Immerse the affected areas in warm - not hot - water. If the water is uncomfortable to the touch for unaffected body parts, it is too hot.
- Use unaffected body parts to warm frostbitten parts; for instance, placing frostbitten fingers under armpits or between thighs can warm them.
- Do not rub or massage the frostbitten areas; doing so may cause more damage.
Trench foot is caused by prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. If feet are constantly wet, it can occur at temperatures as high as 60 degrees F.
Symptoms:
- Reddening of the skin
- Numbness
- Leg cramps
- Swelling
- Tingling pain
- Blisters or ulcers
- Bleeding under the skin
- Gangrene (the foot may turn dark purple, blue, or gray)
Treatment:
- Remove shoes and socks.
- Dry your feet.
- To avoid more damage do not walk on injured feet.
Chilblains are damage to blood vessels in the skin and are caused by the repeated exposure of skin to temperatures ranging from mid-30 degrees F, to as high as 60 degrees F.
Symptoms:
- Redness and Itching, typically on cheeks, ears, fingers and toes
- Blistering
- Inflammation
- Ulcers in severe cases
Treatment:
- Avoid scratching
- Slowly warm skin
- Use corticosteroid creams to relieve itching and swelling
- Keep any blisters or ulcers clean and covered