Cold snap in France: Santé publique France reiterates its recommendations on how to stay safe

The weather forecast predicts a cold snap over the next few days in several regions of France. These weather conditions carry a high risk of an increase in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning cases. Santé publique France is reminding the public of the recommended precautions to take during snow, ice, and extreme cold, as well as the steps to follow to prevent CO poisoning.

Published on 13 January 2017

Cold, Snow, and Ice

Winter is setting in, temperatures are dropping… Cold snaps can affect certain regions or large parts of the country, sometimes reaching temperatures that require vulnerable people to take precautions. Cold weather can pose health risks. Santé publique France reminds the public of the proper precautions to take during periods of extreme cold and provides informational resources.

Learn more:

Precautions to take: /10000/themes/evenement_climatique/froid/index.asp

Information resources: /10000/themes/evenement_climatique/froid/campagne.asp

Cold and health monitoring system: /Dossiers-thematiques/Environnement-et-sante/Climat-et-sante/Froid-et-sante

For real-time updates on weather conditions: http://vigilance.meteofrance.com

Snow, ice, and extreme cold: http://vigilance.meteofrance.com/html/vigilance/guideVigilance/cc_neige_or.html

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Every year, several thousand people are victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. In cold weather, as heating is turned up, carbon monoxide can be released from heating appliances, fireplaces, and internal combustion engines. It is an undetectable asphyxiant gas: it is invisible, odorless, and non-irritating. To minimize the risk of poisoning, Santé publique France reminds the public of the precautions to take and provides informational resources.

Do not overheat your home; instead, heat it normally while ensuring proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning