Dear Students,
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 up to -30° 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:
- Stay indoors! Plan to stay home and enjoy indoor gatherings 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.
- 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.
- Using alcohol and/or other drugs increases 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.
- 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.
- For any emergencies, call the 24/7 Tufts help line at 617-627-3400.
- If you live on campus and have no heat, no power, or frozen or broken pipes, call University Police at 617-627-6911.
- For additional information on managing cold weather, visit the Red Cross website.
Please stay safe and be extremely careful during this unusual weather event.
Marie Caggiano, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Health Service
