Medical professionals are reminding people to bundle up and to avoid staying outside for long periods of time as temperatures drop to freezing conditions.

Dr. Steven Valassis is chair of the emergency department at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport.

He says the two biggest things people need to look out for in these temperatures are frostbite and hypothermia.

Doctors recommend getting to a warm area immediately if outside for any period of time and say early signs to look out for are shivering and shaking.

Each layer you wear will protect you, and doctors say to make sure to remove any wet clothing.

Valassis says the major drops in temperature can cause your blood vessels to constrict and your blood pressure to go up.

"You actually have a higher risk of having a heart attack and higher risk of having a stroke. So, you really want to take care of yourself especially if you've got medical problems. You don't want to overexert yourself and you don't want to be out in the cold too long," said Valassis.