Temperatures are expected to drop into the low 20s this week, and school officials say it’s important for parents to ensure their children are wearing appropriate attire.

Andalusia City Schools head nurse Melinda Carrascoa said it’s important for children to cover their hands, feet and heads.

“The children can lose their body heat by not covering their hands, feet and their head,” she said. “Make sure they layer their clothing and have the essentials for winter – jackets, gloves and scarves.”

Carrascoa said wearing winter-appropriate clothing is for children’s safety.

“It allows them to safely enjoy their time outside,” she said. “They also want to protect their lips, and pay close attention, the first sign of hypothermia is shivering.”

Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperatures, which can affect the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well.

Local school children aren’t the only ones who need to bundle up with the cold temperatures approaching.

The CDC recommends that children and adults wear a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens, water-resistant coat and shoes, and several layers of loose-fitting clothing to stay warm.

Local residents were preparing for the cold weather, with Andalusia merchants reporting an influx of residents purchasing jackets and coats in anticipation for the winter season.

“We’ve sold a bunch, especially our pea coats and trouser coats,” Factory Connection’s Jesse Walden said Monday. “During the weekend jacket and coat sales picked up.”

The same can be said at Ward & Co., on the Square.

“Our North Face is selling good,” said Mike Ward. “We have it even for infants. With the cold weather it’s really helped our sales. We’re actually up about 20 percent more than this time last year. We have sizes ranging from 0-3 months to adults.

“This is the first year (North Face) made them for infants,” he said. “We really sold those well.”