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Plymouth County, MA — With overnight temperatures expected to fall to around 8 degrees, local advocates and emergency officials are warning that the extreme cold poses a serious and potentially life-threatening risk to people experiencing homelessness and anyone without reliable heat.
Cold weather at this level can quickly lead to hypothermia and frostbite, especially when combined with wind and exposure to snow or wet clothing. Even a short time outdoors can become dangerous.
Local outreach groups are urging residents who are unsheltered to seek indoor shelter or warming centers immediately whenever temperatures drop into the single digits.
Emergency help and warming locations
Anyone in Plymouth County who needs a warm place to stay can call Massachusetts 2-1-1. The free, 24-hour service can provide information on:
- emergency shelters
- local warming centers
- transportation or outreach services
Officials also stress that people should call 911 if someone appears to be suffering from cold exposure.
Warning signs of hypothermia include:
- uncontrollable shivering
- confusion or disorientation
- slurred speech
- clumsiness or difficulty walking
- extreme fatigue or drowsiness
These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Safety guidance for people forced to remain outdoors
Emergency responders and outreach workers recommend the following steps to reduce risk when shelter is not immediately available:
- Get out of the wind. Wind dramatically increases heat loss. Use building walls, entryways, or overhangs for protection.
- Stay off frozen ground. Cardboard, bags, or extra clothing placed underneath the body can prevent rapid heat loss.
- Layer clothing and block wind. Dry inner layers and a wind-blocking outer layer are critical.
- Protect hands, feet, and face. These areas are the first to suffer frostbite.
- Eat before resting. Food provides the body with energy to maintain warmth.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk of hypothermia by lowering the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
- Move periodically. Light movement every 20 to 30 minutes helps maintain circulation.
Community urged to look out for vulnerable neighbors
Local officials and advocates are also asking residents across the South Shore to check on neighbors, elderly residents, and anyone known to be living outdoors.
“When temperatures fall this low, exposure can become deadly very quickly,” one outreach worker said. “A simple phone call to 2-1-1 or 911 can save a life.”
As the cold snap continues, residents are encouraged to share information about available warming centers and to report any medical emergencies immediately.
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