ROCKFORD, Ill (WREX) — As frigid weather approaches, Dr. Patrick Sinclair, EMS Medical Director at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, advised residents on how to stay safe and warm. Emphasizing the importance of layers, he highlighted the risks associated with prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

Dr. Sinclair recommended wearing gloves, hats, and jackets while minimizing exposure to the cold. "The biggest risk is how long you're being exposed to the cold," Sinclair said.

He warned about the risks of frostbite, which can range from minor redness and swelling to severe cases involving loss of limbs. "You can have things like trench foot develop," Sinclair said, particularly in wet conditions.

For infants and the elderly, Sinclair stressed the importance of layering as they have a harde

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