It's so cold out there that the kids have stopped complaining about wearing their hats and scarves to school.

When the temperature dips below freezing, weather watchers warn people to take extra measures to protect themselves.

You know that scene from "A Christmas Story" where Randy's mother wraps him up so tightly that he can't put his arms down? You'll want to bundle up like that before you leave the house to avoid frostbite.

In freezing temperatures, uncovered skin can suffer frostbite in just minutes. Check the weather in the morning so you don't go out underdressed.

Of course, the easiest way to stay warm is to stay inside. But if you actually have a life and have to go outside, the Red Cross recommends that you follow these steps to avoid frostbite and hypothermia:

Wear a hat and layers of clothing made of tightly woven fibers, such as wool, which trap warm air against your body.
Keep vulnerable areas, such as fingers, toes, ears and nose, protected and covered.
Drink plenty of warm fluids to help the body maintain its temperature. If hot drinks are not available, drink plenty of plain water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which hinder the body's heat-producing mechanisms.
Take frequent breaks from the cold to let your body warm up and better withstand brief periods of exposure to extreme cold.

Signs Of Frostbite

Let's say you ignore all of this valuable advice and go outside without your earmuffs anyway. How do you know if you have frostbite, and what should you do?

If your skin develops a white patch that is firm and waxy to the touch, you probably have frostbite. Frostbite occurs when the skin surface freezes. Other symptoms include swelling, redness, tingling and burning.

To treat frostbite, follow these steps:

Cover the affected area.
Handle the area gently and never rub the skin, as this may cause further damage.
Warm the area gently by immersing the affected part in water that is warm and comfortable to the touch. Continue to warm the part until it is warm and looks red.
Ensure that the affected part does not become frozen again. Get the victim to a doctor as soon as possible.

Dazed, Confused? Could Be Hypothermia

The most fatal aspect of cold weather is hypothermia. Hypothermia sets in when the body's temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone suffering from hypothermia will become pale, lethargic and uncoordinated. He or she will shiver, feel tired and won't be able to make decisions.

To treat hypothermia, follow these steps:

Keep the person warm by wrapping him or her in blankets and moving him or her to a warm place. Remember to be very gentle in handling the person.
Put hot water bottles or other heat sources on the body, as well as heating pads if the person is dry, keeping a blanket, towel or clothing between the heat source and the skin to avoid burns.
Give warm liquids to drink, if the person is awake.
Do not warm the person too quickly by immersing him or her in warm water. Rapid rewarming can cause heart problems.
Never rub the surface of the person's body; this could cause further damage if the person is also suffering from frostbite.
Avoid giving alcohol and caffeine to drink: It can hinder the body's heat-producing mechanisms.

The Big Chill

When winter sets in with a vengeance, people need to be aware of the dangers. The coldest time of the day is around dawn, when most people are leaving the house for work. So if a snowsuit cramps your style, at least carry emergency clothing with you.