Whatever you do this bitterly cold weekend, experts say "use your common sense."
Regardless of your physical condition, your heart can really take a beating in these bone-chilling temperatures!
"Just even walking outside trying to breathe in this bitterly cold weather can put extra strain so you need to be very careful. These are very dangerous conditions."
Lori Getter, Crisis Communications Manager with Wisconsin Emergency Management , says tragedy seems to strike with every cold snap, but it could be prevented. When the mercury falls, Getter says unfortunately, people will take drastic measures to stay warm.
"We've had case where people have brought in charcoal grills inside their house, or use space heaters or propane heaters improperly or other methods trying to keep warm. And over the years we've seen house fires, we've also seen people have died from carbon monoxide."
Getter says with falling temps and rising costs, if you can't afford heat, contact friends, family, churches, or volunteer groups in order to get out of the cold.
Also, it's important to look after the elderly and take extra care of little kids. And Getter reminds us, even pets and livestock need to find protection from the deep freeze.
They can also get frostbite on their ears, nose, and feet if left out in this bitter cold. So again, if it's nasty and cold for you, it's also nasty and cold for the pet. So make sure you bring your dog and your cat in."
Animals can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Be sure to provide the animals with the extra nutrition they need, access to water, ample bedding, and proper shelter.
As for those scantily clad die-hard Packer fans, Getter says they're not necessarily tougher than you and I; perhaps a little crazy. Everyone, she says, is susceptible to frostbite , and we all need to be wary.