Treasure Coast cold weather shelters will open this week.
The cold weather shelter at The Salvation Army of Indian River County (2655 Fifth St. SW) in Vero Beach is scheduled to be open on February 22 and February 23 at 7 p.m. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.
The cold weather shelter located at Percy Peek Gym, 2902 Avenue D, Fort Pierce, is scheduled to be open on February 22, February 23 and February 24 at 5 p.m. The shelter closes at 8 a.m. each morning.
They usually turn on when the temperature drops below 40 degrees for more than four hours. As of February 22, Stewart’s cold shelter had not announced any opening plans.
weather: Strong cold front moves in with gusty winds and frigid temperatures
Touch grass: 5 locations in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County
According to Fort Pierce city officials, the following are cold weather safety tips:
protect people
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Limit outdoor exposure, especially at night and early in the morning.
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Wear layers of clothing, including a hat, gloves and warm shoes.
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Check on elderly neighbors, children and people with health problems.
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Never use grills, generators or fuel-burning devices indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide.
protect pets
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Keep pets indoors whenever possible.
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Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter and access to unfrozen water.
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Never leave your pet in a car during cold weather.
Protect pipelines and property
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Insulate exposed pipes and allow faucets to drip lightly.
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Open the cabinet doors under the sink to allow warm air to circulate.
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Learn how to shut off your water supply if a pipe fails.
Safe use of space heaters
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Keep heater at least 3 feet away from flammable materials.
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Turn off the heater before going to bed or leaving the room.
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Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet; avoid using extension cords.
Important Fire Safety and Outdoor Burning
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Avoid outdoor burning: Forgo using fire pits, bonfires or burning trash. Wind-blown embers can travel great distances and instantly ignite dry vegetation.
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Keep the space clear: If using a grill or smoker, make sure it is at least 10 feet away from buildings, overhanging branches and dry grass.
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Vehicle Safety: Do not park your vehicle on hay grass. The heat generated by the exhaust system may cause a fire.
Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s breaking news reporter. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared in Treasure Coast Newspapers: Cold weather shelter opens this week in Fort Pierce Vero Beach