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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2008) — The American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter in partnership with Palm Beach County, is opening two Emergency Cold Weather Shelters this evening to shelter residents who would otherwise spend the night without sufficient heat.
Doors will open from 7 p.m. tonight to 7 a.m. tomorrow at both shelters.
· The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 1577 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, is located north of Cherry Street, between Westgate and Belvedere Road, on the west-side of the street.
· For residents of the Belle Glade area, doors will open at the West County Senior Center, 2916 State Road 15, Belle Glade at the intersection of State Road 15 and State Road 80, next to the government complex.
Anyone in need of shelter or transportation tonight should contact 211. Drugs, alcohol, weapons, and pets are not permitted in the shelters. Residents are encouraged to bring a few comfort items such as: Pillows, blankets, games, books.
Due to the projected severe drop in temperature to affect the entire Palm Beach County area, the Palm Beach County Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering the following cold weather safety tips:
Recognize signs of hypothermia – Shivering, numbness, glassy stare; Apathy, weakness, impaired judgment; loss of consciousness.
Use portable heaters with caution – Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture and anything that could get hot and catch fire away from portable heaters; Plug heaters directly in to the wall socket and unplug them when they are not in use.
Inspect Fireplaces – Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned if necessary. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not properly cleaned. Always protect your family and home by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. Remember to burn only wood – never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out the chimney and ignite a neighboring home. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. If you are purchasing a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory and have it installed according to local codes.
Watch Your Wood Stoves – Be sure your wood or coal stove bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory and meets local fire codes. Follow manufactures recommendations for proper use and maintenance. Chimney connections and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned if necessary. Follow the same safety rules for wood stoves as you would for space heaters. Burn only wood and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals. Be sure to check with your local fire department and check local codes before having your wood stove installed.
Be Cautious With Portable and Space Heaters – Place space heaters at least three feet (one meter) away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don’t leave children or pets unattended with space heaters and be sure everyone knows the drying wet mittens or other clothes over space heaters is a fire danger.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers who provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach Counties, has been providing shelter for families during a hurricane, flood or fire, and teaching First Aid, CPR, AIDS Prevention and Water Safety. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit the Website at www.redcross-pbc.org.
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