In February of last year, Saskatchewan experienced near-record low temperatures. While this is not expected to be repeated this year, residents of both Regina and Saskatoon should maintain their water heaters for trouble-free operation during the extremely cold weather. Forecasters are saying temperatures can drop to as low as -28 degrees in February.
The freezing climate means families should fire up their furnaces and trusty hot water tanks in Saskatoon in order to live through the chill. Various perils exist in wintertime, but one stands out of the rest: hypothermia. It happens when the body’s core temperature drops below 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition. According to The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay, hypothermia not only happens during extremely cold conditions; even moderate cold can trigger it. An affected person will show symptoms that include disorientation, violent shivering, memory loss, slow/shallow breathing, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion, and a weak pulse.
Those most susceptible to the condition are children and the elderly. Children lose heat at a faster rate compared to adults. The elderly, on the other hand, have a lower metabolic rate which slows down their bodies’ ability to generate heat. They also have less insulating fat, making them more vulnerable to cold temperatures.
One important way to prevent hypothermia is to effectively control the surrounding temperature and to protect the body from the cold. Efficient water heaters from Saskatoon from dealers like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. or gas, electric furnaces, and even fireplaces are among the best defenses against the cold weather.
Still, it’s not so bad for Saskatchewan locals. According to Environment Canada meteorologist Dan Fulton, residents can expect a bit of warmth in the coming days due to a warm air mass coming from the Pacific Ocean–one which will ultimately push aside the cold Arctic air. Residents can enjoy the occasional bit of warmth but should expect the cold to linger for a few months more.
Saskatchewan locals are no strangers to cold weather, and this year will be no different. It is all a matter of diligence, making sure that furnaces, water heaters, and other warming essentials, are in top condition throughout the winter.
(Source: Snow on the Way, Mild Weather Expected to Continue, CBS News, January 20, 2015)
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