Word on the Street:

NEWPORT CITY- An arctic ice blast brought freezing temperatures to the region recently. Some areas reported temperatures of 25 below zero, and combined with the wind chill factor, led meteorologists to estimate temperatures of 40 below.

In spite of the icy cold temperatures and brisk breeze, kids were outside skating at Gardner Park in Newport, indifferent to temperatures in the low teens.

Emergency medical physician Dr. Daniel Bachmann offers a few tips to stay warm and safe.

First of all make sure your clothes- hats, mittens, socks are dry. Wear clothes that wick water and sweat away from your body. Wool is preferable to cotton.

Layering clothes creates warm air pockets. Puffy down jackets work most effectively while wool and cotton make good layers but don’t retain the warm air.

Bring a companion if you expect to be outside for a long time or let someone know where you’re going and for how long. Hypothermia can occur in a short period of time.

Try to avoid consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. Impaired judgement can lead to frostbite and other medical conditions.

Learn to recognize the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Warning signs include confusion, exhaustion, difficulty speaking, shivering, sleepiness, slurred speech and sore muscles. If your body temperature falls below 95 degrees, seek medical attention.

Last but not least, check the forecast before making plans to go outside.

The children skating at Gardner Park were dressed for the cold on Friday. They wore layers of clothing and skated around the ice, generating energy and heat.

“I can tell you a secret how to stay warm,” Brooke Kelley (age 10) said. “Wear warm socks.”

Great idea. Cold weather shouldn’t preclude getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Just be prepared and be safe.