Frigid Weather Expected In Newark: Homeless Shelters, Safety Tips

NEWARK, NJ — Newark city officials are activating a “Code Blue” for Friday, Feb. 14 to Saturday, Feb. 15 in the face of a frigid winter weather forecast.

Temperatures are expected to plunge to about 13 degrees, according to a statement from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Mark Wade.

“Newark is preparing for extremely cold temperatures this Friday and Saturday,” Wade said. “I urge our residents to take precautions to keep their homes safe and be safe when they are out, and to check on their neighbors, especially the disabled, children and the elderly.”

Wade also advised residents to be aware of the hazards of extremely cold weather.

“Several layers of warm clothing and protection against moisture and wind are important, even though weather may not seem to threaten cold injury,” Wade said. “Gloves and socks should be kept as dry as possible. Insulated boots that do not obstruct circulation are essential in very cold weather. Warm head covering is particularly important, since 30 percent of heat loss is from the head.”

Newark residents should take measures to ensure their safety at home and when outside during the Code Blue event, Wade said.

HOMELESS SHELTERS

Newark officials reminded residents that there are emergency shelters operating during the extreme cold weather that have partnered with the city to provide overnight sheltering.

For more information about sheltering services, contact the shelters listed below or the Department of Health and Community Wellness, Division of Social Services at (973) 877- 9481, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

COLD WEATHER TIPS

City officials offered the following tips on keeping homes safe and coping with extreme winter weather:

• Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68 degrees. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68 degrees will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
• Identify the locations for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.
• Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.
• Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.
• Do not leave space heaters unattended.
• Do not use generators indoors.
• It is illegal to use kerosene heaters indoors.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Take inventory of emergency items.

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