Dear Student,
Extreme and dangerously cold weather will be gripping our region starting Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Temperatures on Friday and Saturday will be below 0° F with wind chills as low as -20° F.
Please take this weather seriously and prepare to stay indoors as much as possible Friday evening through Sunday lunch time.
With below zero temperatures and wind chills, cold-related injuries including frostbite and hypothermia can occur within 10-15 minutes. These injuries can be profound, even fatal.
Here is some guidance for this period of extreme weather:
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Stay indoors! Plan to stay indoors and enjoy gathering with friends.
- If you must go out, only go for short periods of time and do not allow any areas of skin to be exposed (wear hats, face covers, gloves/mittens, etc.); stay in groups so friends can help monitor each other for signs of hypothermia or other concerns; and stay out of the wind and keep dry.
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Know how you’re getting home in advance of going out. If you will be driving, make sure your vehicle is prepared with emergency supplies.
- Limit the use of alcohol and/or other drugs because they increase the risk of cold related injury by making it harder to notice that you are becoming cold, taking risks you might not take otherwise, or by causing someone to pass out. Use the buddy system this weekend.
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If you are drunk or high, it is easy to underestimate how cold it is. It is always dangerous to pass out alone, and even more dangerous in cold weather.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Seek medical help for uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, or apparent exhaustion.
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Keep pets sheltered indoors and learn about winter pet safety.
- Keep doors and windows fully closed at all times. Even small gaps can lead to frozen pipes or heat loss.
- If your room has an adjustable thermostat, make sure the setting remains at 65°F or higher.
- Keep vents and radiators unblocked. Furniture or boxes placed too close to heating units can prevent proper airflow and make the space colder.
- If you live on campus and have issues requiring immediate attention––such as no heat, no power, or frozen or broken pipes––call 617-627-3496, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–midnight, and Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
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For emergencies outside office hours, call TUPD at 617-627-6911.
- For additional information on managing cold weather, visit the Red Cross website.
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Please stay safe and be extremely careful during this unusual weather event.
Marie Caggiano, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Health Service
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