Jammu, Jan 5: In view of the intensifying winter conditions across Jammu and Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu has issued a detailed public advisory warning about the serious health and safety risks associated with extreme cold and outlining preparedness and preventive measures for individuals, families and communities.

The advisory highlights that prolonged exposure to low temperatures can lead to life-threatening conditions such as hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisoning. It added that cold-related disruptions like power outages, frozen water pipes, and dead vehicle batteries can further endanger lives.

According to GMC Jammu, hypothermia—a condition in which the body temperature drops below 95°F (35°C)—is among the most dangerous consequences of extreme cold and can prove fatal if not addressed promptly. The advisory notes that frostbite, which causes damage to body tissues due to freezing, can occur rapidly, especially in exposed body parts like fingers, toes, ears and the nose.

“Cold weather causes the body to lose heat faster than it can produce it, leading to serious medical emergencies if early signs are ignored,” the advisory states.

Another significant concern, as per the KNO flagged by health authorities, is carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur when people improperly use secondary heating sources such as coal burners, gas heaters, or generators in poorly ventilated spaces during power outages.

Certain groups are particularly vulnerable during extreme cold. These include elderly persons, especially those lacking adequate heating, food or warm clothing, people staying outdoors for long durations, such as homeless individuals, hikers or workers, individuals consuming excessive alcohol or illicit drugs and infants sleeping in inadequately heated rooms

The advisory also cites statistics indicating that nearly 50% of cold-related injuries occur among people above 60 years of age, over 75% involve males, and around 20% take place inside homes.

Health experts at GMC Jammu urged people to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of hypothermia appear. These include uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, confusion or disorientation, memory loss, drowsiness and extreme fatigue

“Preventing hypothermia is far easier than treating it,” the advisory stressed.

For suspected hypothermia cases, the advisory recommends: moving the affected person to a warm, dry place, removing wet clothing and covering the person with blankets, warming the body slowly, starting from the core, avoiding rapid warming of arms and legs, as it may push cold blood toward the heart and trigger cardiac complications, providing warm drinks if the person is conscious

For frostbite, GMC Jammu advised shifting the patient to a warm environment, immersing the affected limb in warm (not hot) water until normal colour returns, removing tight clothing or jewellery from the affected area and avoiding rubbing or massaging frozen skin

The advisory also outlined a range of safety precautions, urging residents to: stay indoors during extreme cold spells, check on elderly neighbours and bring pets indoors, keep flashlights and extra batteries ready and avoid using candles due to fire risk, ensure proper insulation of water pipes to prevent freezing, use heating appliances cautiously and maintain adequate ventilation

Motorists have been advised to winterise their vehicles before travel by: Checking battery strength, antifreeze levels, tyre pressure and brakes, keeping fuel tanks near full to prevent ice formation, carrying a winter survival kit including blankets, flashlights, high-calorie food, water and a fully charged mobile phone

Drivers were also advised to clear snow and frost from windshields, headlamps and signal lights, use winter-grade washer fluid, and replace worn wiper blades to ensure visibility.

GMC Jammu recommended wearing layered clothing to retain body heat effectively, including Thermal inner layers, Windproof and waterproof outerwear, Warm hats, gloves, face masks and insulated boots

It appealed to the public to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and assist vulnerable individuals during the winter season.

“We wish a happy and healthy winter season to all. Collective awareness and timely precautions can save lives,”

Udhampur, Jan 05: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today addressed the One Day Convention of Teachers here, underscoring the pivotal role of teachers in shaping a progressive and enlightened society.

Director School Education Jammu, Naseem Javaid Choudhary; ACR Udhampur, Joint Director School Education Udhampur/Reasi, DSWO Udhampur, CMO Udhampur, CEO Udhampur, other senior officers of Education department and large number of teachers were also present on the occasion.

Speaking to a large gathering of educators, the Minister lauded teachers as the true architects of building progressive society, stating that their contribution goes far beyond classrooms and textbooks. “Teachers play a decisive role in nurturing responsible citizens and strengthening moral and intellectual fabric of society”, she stated.

The Education Minister called upon teachers to adapt to evolving educational challenges and adopt innovative teaching methods to meet the aspirations of the younger generation. She stressed that continuous professional development and value-based education are essential to keep pace with changing times.

Lauding teachers for their contribution to education sector, Minister Sakeena said that under the visionary leadership of then Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the revolutionary step of introducing Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme was initiated which changed the dynamics of school education sector in J&K. She added that due to ReT scheme, students of far-flung areas, who couldn’t afford to move to cities for educational purposes, received education in their respective areas.

She highlighted that the teachers need to be acknowledged for their contribution to the society, adding that the large number of IAS, IPS and JKAS officers have studied from government schools for which their teachers need to acknowledged.

Emphasising the need to reform and strengthen the teacher–student relationship, Sakeena Itoo said that mutual respect, trust and understanding must form the foundation of all educational institutions. She highlighted that some positive reforms need to be initiated for improving student-teacher relationship in educational institutions.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to improving the education sector, Sakeena Itoo assured that sustained efforts are being made by the Government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to upgrade infrastructure, enhance teaching standards and promote holistic learning across educational institutions of J&K.

Addressing the gathering, Director School Education Jammu said the Government has worked tirelessly from last one year for the development of education sector, particularly the change of Academic session, timely updation of seniority lists, conduct of DPCs and other related issues have been solved and some are under active consideration of the Government.

He highlighted that various reformative steps for the betterment of education sector are under process of the government, which will significantly improve the educational standards across Jammu and Kashmir.

On the occasion, various teachers spoke and lauded the efforts of Government, especially Education Minister for various pathbreaking initiatives in education sector. They expressed gratitude to Minister for various decisions like change in academic session, regularisation of CPWs, posting of Principals and other teachers in various schools which was long pending issue, availability of textbooks in schools, timely updation of seniority lists as well as regular conduct of DPCs at all levels.

The Teachers, on the occasion, also put forth some demands before the Minister like provision of leave salary to teachers at the time of retirement, restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), withdrawal of teachers from non teaching assignments in other departments like Census, Surveys and others as well as timely disbursement of dues for Mid Day Meal scheme.

On the sidelines of the Convention, the Minister distributed sewing machines among women beneficiaries of Social Welfare department. She also distributed bicycles among school children for their outstanding performance in various National sports championships and academic activities.