(HealthDayNews) -- As the days become colder, the Mayo Clinic warns people to take precautions against hypothermia.
Hypothermia occurs when your body can't maintain a normal temperature of about 98.6 Fahrenheit. An internal temperature of 95 F or lower signals hypothermia.
Each year, nearly 700 Americans die of hypothermia. Those at greatest risk are older adults, children, people who are mentally ill or otherwise lose their judgment about when to seek shelter, and people who are intoxicated, homeless, or caught in cold weather.
Your best bet against hypothermia is to wear protective clothing and avoid becoming wet in the bitter cold, which can lead to the greatest loss of body heat.
