Local Counties Issue Code Blue

NORRISTOWN, Pa., (CBS) -- Several counties in the region have declared or extended Code Blue weather emergencies due to the dropping temperatures.

PENNSYLVANIA

Montgomery County - The Montgomery County Commissioners, on the advice of the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, have declared an extension of the Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency for Montgomery County based on a review of forecasts from the National Weather Service.

The Code Blue Declaration extension has been issued for Montgomery County for the period beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016 through 9 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016.

A Code Blue Cold Weather Declaration is made in Montgomery County when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter. A Code Blue is called when the combination of air temperature and wind chill is anticipated to be 20ºF or less.

For general cold weather information, check the Montgomery County Health Department website: www.montcopa.org/codeblue.

NEW JERSEY

Atlantic City - The City of Atlantic City has declared a Code Blue from 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 through 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24.

As per the NWS Mt. Holly NJ, a forecast of snowfall and blizzard like conditions will make it very dangerous for anyone to be outdoors without shelter.

The Atlantic City Rescue Mission will open its doors to all who need shelter and food.

The Atlantic City Police Department, as available, will give rides to the Mission.

During weather such as we are forecasted to experience, tonight into Sunday hypothermia can be deadly in a relatively short period of time. The Atlantic City Office of Emergency Management urges all interests to check on the elderly and bring pets in from the elements.

"Our Atlantic City public safety and emergency management teams are busy preparing for the upcoming winter storm and flooding.  We have reached out to many community leaders, including Atlantic City school district officials.  Please stay off the streets once the storm begins.  Avoid driving or walking through any standing water and areas that are prone to flooding.  Below are locations of warming stations.  If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911," said Mayor Guardian in a news release.

Warming Stations:

All Wars Memorial Building, 1510 Adriatic Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Atlantic City PAL Building, 250 N. New York Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Pennsylvania Avenue School, 201 N Pennsylvania Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Website resources:
http://www.aclink.org/oep/mainpages/emergency_reg.asp
http://www.readyatlantic.org/prepare/hurricane.asp
http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/plan/kit-plan.html

Burlington County - Due to dropping temperatures, Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio Thursday declared that the current Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency will be extended to 8 a.m. Monday, January 25, 2016. Officials will then review and assess upcoming weather forecasts.

A Code Blue declaration is made in Burlington County when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter. When a Code Blue is enacted it provides for short-term emergency sheltering.

Individuals can call CONTACT of Burlington County at 856-234-8888 or 866-234-5006 for a list of available shelters and additional Code Blue information.

For general cold weather precautions, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter

Camden County -- As the nor'easter approaches the region a blizzard warning has been called, Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that Camden County will be under a Code Blue Emergency through the duration of the weekend.

Officials say the Camden County Health Officer issued the Code Blue Emergency effective from 6 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. on Jan. 24.

"In anticipation of the approaching blizzard brought on by a quickly moving nor'easter the extreme cold will be with us throughout the weekend. Wind chills are expected to drop temperatures to 20 degrees overnight, so everyone should be sheltered and out of the elements during this severe weather," Rodriguez said in a news release.  "If you must leave the house, please dress yourself and your children in warm clothing, hats and gloves. Also, please remember to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and bring your pets indoors."

When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Severe Weather Emergency, officials say municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

"During these weather emergencies, we encourage everyone to check on elderly or handicapped relatives and neighbors that live alone," Rodriguez said. "It is important that most vulnerable among us are not left without heat or electricity."

With more than 75 percent of households in Camden County owning a cat or a dog Rodriguez wants to ensure that all pets are safe during these extreme temperatures as well.

Here are some cold weather tips from Freeholder Rodriguez to keep your pet safe:

When the thermometer dips below 32 degrees, keep your pet indoors as much as possible. If your pet must stay outside, provide a warm shelter, raised a few inches off the ground, with the opening facing away from the wind and covered with a burlap or plastic flap. The shelter should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around, but small enough to retain its body heat.

• If your pet is outdoors for extended periods when temperatures are below freezing (32 degrees), be alert for signs of distress from the cold. Just like in people, shivering is a sign that the body temperature is dropping. If you see your pet shivering, it is probably time to bring it inside. Remember, your pet's body temperature is between 101-102 degrees and its body temperature lowers faster in cold weather.
• A very young, very old pet or a pet with a health problem is more vulnerable to cold.
• An animal with thick fur can tolerate cold longer than a small animal and one with short hair.
• Don't leave your pet in an unheated vehicle for extended periods of time.
• Make sure your pet has clean unfrozen drinking water. Do not let your pet drink from puddles where there may be deadly antifreeze or other harmful chemicals.
• A pet can pick up rock salt, ice and other melting chemicals in their foot pads. This can harm your pet. Massaging petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and chemical agents. Moisturizing after a good toweling off helps to heal chapped paws. Wipe your pet's feet with a damp cloth when it comes inside to protect its pads from damage. If this is a problem for your pet, there are boots available in all sizes. Your dog can get used to wearing the boots indoors for short periods of time. Not all dogs take to them.
• If there are outside cats in the neighborhood, rap on the hood of your vehicle and look under it before starting your engine and driving off. Cats sometimes curl up next to or under warm engines when they are left out in the cold.
• Antifreeze has an attractive scent and taste for animals and is extremely poisonous! Be especially vigilant about the ingestion of antifreeze. The first sign of antifreeze poisoning is a pet that appears drunk. Immediately get your pet to the vet if you suspect it has ingested antifreeze as it can be fatal within four
  to eight hours of ingestion.

Officials say the Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans.  Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather, according to officials.

Officials say persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.  Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999-9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.

The Office of Emergency Management is also monitoring conditions.

"As this weather pattern continues, please, if possible, stay indoors today to keep warm and stay out of the elements," said Freeholder Jonathan Young in a news release. "If you must go out, please take precautions to keep you and your family safe from the extreme temperatures."

Freeholder Young offers residents the following tips:

• Dress in layers and cover your exposed skin to avoid frostbite.
• It only takes 30 to 45 minutes for exposed skin to develop frostbite
• Mittens keep children's hands warmer than gloves.
• Avoid wearing cotton, it holds in moisture and loses its insulating properties.
• Remember that even clear-looking sidewalks can be slippery.
• Keep dog walks brief, don't leave animals outside and consider a dog coat.
• Please check on your neighbors, especially those that are elderly, disabled or live alone.
• Using your ceiling fan clockwise on low recirculates warm air through the room.

• Never use a stove, oven or a gas grill to heat your home.
• Use space heaters safely on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away. Turn off space heaters before going to bed.
• Wood -burning fireplaces should have a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks or rolling logs. Never leave children alone in the room when a fire is lit. Keep all flammable items at least three feet away from the fireplace. Always make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep your thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid the costly repair of pipes that freeze and burst.
• To prevent pipes from freezing, run water, even at a trickle. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, but be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.
• In order to conserve electricity, turn off lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using.
• At night, cover windows with drapes or blankets to minimize heat loss. During the day, open blinds to let sun warm the space.

In case of a power outage please report it directly to the appropriate utility provider list below:

• PSE&G: 1-800-436-PSEG (7734)
• PSEG website: http://pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/index.jsp
• Atlantic City Electric: 1-800-833-7476
• Atlantic City Electric website: http://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/
• South Jersey Gas: 1-800-582-7060
• South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/

City of Camden: Please be advised that the Camden County Health Officer has issued a Code Blue Emergency for tonight, Jan. 22 from 6 p.m. to Sunday morning, Jan. 24 at 7 a.m.   During this period, the City of Camden and the region are expecting severe weather conditions resulting in significant snow accumulations.

Officials say the City of Camden is concerned for the safety of persons who may need access to a warming shelter during extremely cold/freezing or "Code Blue" conditions as determined by the Camden County Health Officer.  During these periods of emergency "Code Blue" conditions, individuals can go to the following locations:

New Life Community Development Corporation, 1721 Haddon Avenue, Camden, N.J. 08103
Joseph's House of Camden, 555 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, NJ 08105

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