DAYTON -- The Arctic temperatures have local homeless shelters with people down on their luck, some even coming in with frostbite.
At St. Vincent De Paul's Gateway Homeless Shelter for men, supervisors say they've seen an increase of 20 men per night in the month of January.
Last Thursday, Michael Baldridge was out of a home. He says if it wasn't for Gateway Homeless Shelter, he'd be in a bad predicament Monday night when the temperatures dropped to the teens.
"I'm blessed to have somewhere to go. Without this I'll be on the streets and freezing," said Baldridge.
Gateway's Operations Manager Marc Flory said January is their biggest month as far as occupancy.
"The numbers do jump between December and January and we did go up 20 men per night between December and January," said Flory.
One man came in with frostbite last week.
"The first thing we do is allow him to shower and once he took off his socks, his toes were ... unresponsive and they called the paramedics and they took him to the hospital for frostbite," said Flory.
Doctors at Kettering Medical Center say with these freezing temperatures, frostbite and hypothermia can happen quickly.
Some side effects of hypothermia are dizziness, exhaustion or shortness of breath. If you do decide to go out in these temperatures dress in layers.
"The best advice is in addition to dressing in layers, is to rotate indoors and outdoors if you have that option and to avoid being outside if it's not really necessary.
At Gateway, they are prepared for the extra numbers, but can always use the extra help.
"You can never be prepared but this year we've been blessed in the fact that we have plenty of blankets this year," said Flory.
If it wasn't for this shelter, Baldridge would be out of luck, he's thankful there is a place like Gateway to stay warm from the cold.
"I don't know. It would have been a desperate situation," said Baldridge.
To donate, call 937-222-7350 or click here.
At St. Vincent De Paul's Gateway Homeless Shelter for men, supervisors say they've seen an increase of 20 men per night in the month of January.
Last Thursday, Michael Baldridge was out of a home. He says if it wasn't for Gateway Homeless Shelter, he'd be in a bad predicament Monday night when the temperatures dropped to the teens.
"I'm blessed to have somewhere to go. Without this I'll be on the streets and freezing," said Baldridge.
Gateway's Operations Manager Marc Flory said January is their biggest month as far as occupancy.
"The numbers do jump between December and January and we did go up 20 men per night between December and January," said Flory.
One man came in with frostbite last week.
"The first thing we do is allow him to shower and once he took off his socks, his toes were ... unresponsive and they called the paramedics and they took him to the hospital for frostbite," said Flory.
Doctors at Kettering Medical Center say with these freezing temperatures, frostbite and hypothermia can happen quickly.
Some side effects of hypothermia are dizziness, exhaustion or shortness of breath. If you do decide to go out in these temperatures dress in layers.
"The best advice is in addition to dressing in layers, is to rotate indoors and outdoors if you have that option and to avoid being outside if it's not really necessary.
At Gateway, they are prepared for the extra numbers, but can always use the extra help.
"You can never be prepared but this year we've been blessed in the fact that we have plenty of blankets this year," said Flory.
If it wasn't for this shelter, Baldridge would be out of luck, he's thankful there is a place like Gateway to stay warm from the cold.
"I don't know. It would have been a desperate situation," said Baldridge.
To donate, call 937-222-7350 or click here.
