With snow covering much of the landscape for over a week now, we will now get arctic cold temperatures and windchills with daily high temperatures that will be the coldest in roughly ten years.  It is interesting to note that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) documents that there are more deaths in the United States due to cold weather exposure (hypothermia) than hot weather exposure (hyperthermia) each year.  The CDC has also tracked an average of 1,300 deaths per year in the US due to excessive cold or hypothermia.

Many jobs are affected little with the change in temperature outside, but others do not have that luxury.  Occupations such as agriculture (and others) work outside a great deal no matter what the conditions.  Helpful reminders are often beneficial to keep safe while accomplishing these tasks.

Everyone responds to cold weather and temperature extremes in general very differently.  It is what we are “used to” and what we can “tolerate”.  What Alaskans think of as cold in January may be quite different than what we perceive as cold in the lower 48.  Specific contributing factors may also affect a person’s susceptibility to cold temperatures such as getting wet, exhaustion, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and general poor physical condition.

General good practices for working in cold weather include:

• Planning routine maintenance on outdoor equipment for warmer seasons.
• Let others know where you will be working and when you will return.
• Dressing in layers so clothing may be added or taken off in specific instances.
• Keeping dry. Keep extra dry clothes, gloves, and shoes/boots nearby.
• Protecting ears, face, hands, feet, and head. Extremities away from the body core have less blood flow and are more difficult to keep warm.
• Taking breaks in warm locations.
• Staying hydrated. Not often thought of as an issue in cold weather, but just as important.

In some cases, cold-related illness and injuries will occur.  It is important to know the symptoms so you can watch yourself and others for signs.

Hypothermia:

• Body loses heat faster than it can be produced.
• Symptoms are shivering, fatigue, confusion, disorientation.
• Can be mild to severe depending on symptoms.

Frostbite:

• Actual freezing of tissue.
• Symptoms are numbness, stinging, or pain and top layer of skin feeling hard and rubbery.
• Wear appropriate clothing and seek medical attention if symptoms remain after 30 minutes.

Trench foot:

• Feet lose heat due to cold or wetness too long and tissue becomes damaged.
• Symptoms include swelling and pain in the feet. Differs from frostbite in that the skin does not actually freeze.
• Keep feet warm and dry.

Cold weather injuries are preventable.  Take the time to make the necessary plans for yourself and your workers to stay warm and dry and safely get the job done.

Wayne Dellinger, ANR Educator Union County, can be reached at 937-644-8117 ex. 3024 or dellinger.6@osu.edu. This column is provided by the OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team. https://agsafety.osu.edu/.

With an estimated 2,709,128 Ohioans currently living in dry or drought conditions, times are not easy. Unfortunately, with no relief in sight, we could be sitting in this position for quite some time. The map below indicates where each county in Ohio stands in its current dry/drought condition.

Our team at OSU Extension and other professionals around the state of Ohio are working around the clock to monitor the situation and provide resources for on-the-ground support and daily observation of the weather outlook. Click here for more information and resources.

We often forget to check in on our mental health during this time of high stress and anxiety. While many people can cope with the everyday stress of farming, it is important to know it is okay not to be okay. Especially with extreme weather conditions, it can be difficult for any farmer.

There may be no way to control this drought, but we can control how we manage our stress. Here are a few simple ways:

• Recognize the signs of it, which manifest differently in everyone.
• Acknowledge and share with someone that you are feeling
• Ensure that you are getting enough sleep, eating properly, and maintaining good physical
• When you have the time to connect with loved ones, Spending quality time with others boosts your mental health.

What are some of the signs of stress:

• Poor sleeping and/or eating habits
• Feeling overwhelmed by life
• Overly anxious or stressed
• Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Increase in risky behavior
• Overly tired and/or forgetful
• Thoughts of hopelessness

If you have been feeling any of these for more than a few weeks, please reach out to someone. We have your back, and you are not alone in these thoughts. Please talk with someone.

Resources that are available to you:

go.osu.edu/farmstress   go.osu/educountyresourceguide

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call, Text, or Chat 24/7 365 Ohio Care Line 1-800-720-9616

Please reach out if you have any questions or need more information to Bridget Britton at 330-365- 8160.

Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW Behavioral Health Field Specialist