Municipal Warming Centers Will Open Wednesday

With a major nor’easter snowstorm in the forecast, municipalities in Somerset County will offer warming centers at various locations during regular business hours on Wednesday and beyond as needed.

Visit http://bit.ly/2018Warming for a list of those warming centers, locations and hours of operation. Residents should call the facility or municipality first to verify if the building is open.

The Somerset County Office of Emergency Management activated the Code Blue Plan on Monday, March 5, in anticipation of the storm. It will remain in effect until further notice. Somerset County’s Code Blue Plan provides a framework for coordinating the efforts of the county Department of Public Health and Safety, Department of Human Services, Board of Social Services, municipalities and other organizations that provide services to the homeless and at-risk individuals to reduce the health risks that may be experienced by the homeless population during extreme cold.

Freeholder Patricia L. Walsh, public health and safety liaison, and the Somerset County Department of Health also want to remind residents to be prepared so that family, friends and vulnerable neighbors are safe during the anticipated storm.

Take necessary precautions and know how to identify cold-weather health issues:

First and foremost: Stay warm. As temperatures drop and wind speeds increase, heat can leave your body more rapidly. If unprepared, exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially for young children and the elderly. Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold, both indoors and outdoors. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite.

When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold eventually uses up the body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making a person unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and so is unable to do anything about it. People susceptible to hypothermia often are elderly, with inadequate food, clothing or heating; babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; people who are outdoors for long periods of time; and alcohol drinkers or users of illicit drugs.

Follow these guidelines to stay safe, healthy and warm:

·        Try to stay indoors when weather is extremely cold, especially if winds are high.

·        If you must go outdoors, make trips outside as brief as possible.

·        Dress in layers of warm clothing if you plan to be outdoors.

·        Protect your head, neck, hands and feet from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and socks.

·        Offer to help people in your neighborhood who may have limited access to heat.

·        Check frequently on older adults and people who are ill.

·        During peak cold times, visit indoor public facilities such as shopping malls, libraries or senior centers, if you don't have enough heat in your home. Be sure to check that they are open before venturing outdoors.

·        Do not leave pets outside.

·        If you use an outdoor generator at home, place it at least 10 feet away from all doors and windows to avoid exhaust gases entering the home.

·        Stoves, barbeques and ovens can produce carbon monoxide gas, which can be deadly when used to heat a home. Never use these appliances in place of approved heaters such as electric, natural gas or fireplaces.

·        Children, the elderly and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold snaps. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don't get too cold.

·        Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the risk of poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and muscle and joint pain. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide could lead to death within minutes. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, take immediate action: call the New Jersey Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate treatment advice. Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be immediately taken outside into the fresh air. It’s important that they be taken to an emergency room for immediate medical treatment.

For more cold-weather information go to http://bit.ly/FreezingCold