Theo tin phila.gov
December 15, 2016 by Office of Emergency Management, Office of the Mayor
ue to the dangerous cold, the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services has declared a Code Blue Emergency Warning, effective Wednesday night, December 14th, 6 p.m, through Wednesday, December 21st, 6 a.m. City officials urge concerned citizens who see a person living on the street to call 215-232-1984.
by Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management | December 15, 2016
Winter does not officially arrive until December 21st (at 5:44 a.m. if you happen to be awake) but a cold reminder of the season-to-come arrives today for Philadelphia and its surrounding counties.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Mount Holly forecast calls for bitter cold moving into the area Thursday and wind chill values dropping temps to near zero degrees tonight.
High wind will be no help as gusts could approach 40 M.P.H. Thursday. That could prompt the National Weather Service to issue a Wind Advisory.
The NWS forecast also calls for some snow, albeit a low probability, in the area Friday night before transitioning to a wintry mix early Saturday. Light icing is possible during the transition to that wintry mix before changing over to rain Saturday making travel hazardous.
With high temperatures in the 20s and a wind chill making it feel 15 to 20 degrees colder than those actual temps, it’s important to prepare and keep yourself, fellow residents, and your home safe during Winter Weather.
In addition to limiting time outdoors and exposure of skin as well as weather-proofing your home, prepare for the cold with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management’s Winter Weather Guide.
What You Should Know: Health
Know what we know: Be ready for whatever the weather may bring. Sign up for free ReadyPhiladelphia alerts to get Watches and Warnings from the National Weather Service, emergency information from the City of Philadelphia, and service interruption for your SEPTA routes.
Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in serious health problems, most common being hypothermia and frostbite according to the Philadelphia Department of Health.
Hypothermia– Cold temperatures can cause your body to lose heat faster than it can be produced, which can cause hypothermia.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
Low body temperature may make you unable to think clearly or move well.
You may not know you have hypothermia.
If your temperature is below 95°, get medical attention immediately. This is an emergency.
Frostbite- an injury to the body caused by freezing.
Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes.
Wind chill and wind speed affect the actual air temperature and perceived temperature as well as the amount of time until frostbite occurs. The higher the wind speed and lower the temperature, the quicker frostbite can set in. Anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes according to the CDC.
A Code Blue is issued when cold weather becomes a danger to individuals who are homeless and are without shelter. Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services consults with the City’s Department of Behavioral Health to issue a Code Blue as a means to help the homeless get indoors during extremely cold weather conditions. If you see a person who is homeless and in need please call Homeless Outreach at 215-232-1984.
Save 9-1-1 for emergencies. Contact the city’s non-emergency service, Philly311, with any questions or concerns.
Philadelphia is known as a “City of Neighborhoods”, a moniker earned as our residents look out for one another. The Philadelphia Police Department has reminded us of this before, asking to check on neighbors, especially those who are vulnerable, such as the disabled, the elderly, and those without reliable heat. That will warm your heart!
What You Should Know: Pets
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals notes that winter’s “dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws.” To remedy this, the ASPCA recommends keeping you home humidified and a dry towel waiting near your door to wipe your animals paws when they come inside.
It is against City ordinance to leave pets outside in extreme cold and owners can be fined up to $500. Call the Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) hotline at 267-385-3800 if you see a dog or other pet outside during extreme cold.
What You Should Know: Home
Home Heating and Fire Danger
According the Philadelphia Fire Department, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January, and February. Following these Winter Fire Safety tips from the Philadelphia Fire Department and check out their website for more home fire safety information.
CO Poisoning
Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, can be produced from improperly vented furnaces, plugged or cracked chimneys, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves and tail pipes. Philadelphia Gas Works tips can help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Frozen Pipes
Extreme cold can cause pipes and the ground to expand and contract, and very cold river water can also make water mains more brittle. In part, those factors can help to explain why more than half of Philadelphia’s water main breaks occur during the coldest months in a typical year. Information from the Philadelphia Water Department looks to avoid costly repairs.
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This content was last updated on December 15, 2016 by Office of Emergency Management, Office of the Mayor.
