Medavie Health Services is reminding the public that hypothermia can happen in minutes if you don’t dress properly.

Paramedics have some tips for staying warm like dressing properly, in layers, coming indoors at regular intervals and if you’re travelling on the highway or rural roads, make sure you have a fully charged phone. And if you end up stranded – stay with your vehicle. You’ll also want to make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle that has blankets.

Some of the signs of frost bite include white waxy skin that feels numb, when you’re warming back up there will be a burning sensation in the affected area. Skin will blister and swell and may turn red, blue or purple.

If you think you may have frost bite, go indoors immediately, remove all wet clothing, don’t rub the frost bitten area but immerse chilled body parts in warm – not hot – water.