Mayor Bloomberg Advises Of Cold Weather Precautions As City Provides Buses To Shelters, Opens Warming Centers And Distributes Blankets

November 3, 2012

Buses Depart from 5:30 PM -10:00 PM from Six Locations Throughout the City; Elderly, Infants and Ill Especially Vulnerable to Cold and Should Take Precautions

Early Signs of Hypothermia Include Uncontrollable Shivering, Confusion or Sleepiness, Slowed or Slurred speech, Stiffness in Arms and Legs, Poor Control Over Body Movements and Slow Reaction

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that the City will be providing buses tonight from Hurricane Sandy's hard-hit areas to shelters to ensure that residents have a warm place to sleep. The buses will depart from 5:30 PM until 10:00 PM.  In addition, the City is distributing blankets at the food and water distribution centers and has opened daytime warming centers at locations through the city.  Locations and times are below and available on www.nyc.gov.

"It's cold and we have shelters with food, water and heat where people can stay," said Mayor Bloomberg. "It's critical that people stay warm, especially the elderly.  If you are elderly, or have an infant under a year old, or have heart disease or medical conditions, you should get to a warm place. Or if you find yourself shivering uncontrollably, or if you see someone who is disoriented - these are symptoms of hypothermia.  And anyone with them needs to get to a warm place."

As temperatures fall in New York City, and as people enter or remain in their homes without the assurance of power or heat, the risks of hypothermia are real. Hypothermia occurs when body temperatures drop below a normal level, and stays low for a prolonged period of time.

The risk of hypothermia increases with the amount of time someone spends in the cold. While most people can tolerate colder indoor temperatures as long as they have proper clothing and blankets, some are at greater risk. These include older adults, infants, people with circulatory diseases, diabetes and metabolic disorders. People on certain medications including over-the-counter cold remedies, and people who consume alcohol are also at greater risk. The City recommends that these groups especially take advantage of the shelter options provided by the City.

BUSES TO SHELTER DEPART FROM 5:30 PM -10:00 PM
Queens Shelter - Hillcrest High School, 160-05 Hillcrest Avenue, Queens

Bus locations:
Fort Tilden Park at Beach Channel Boulevard
Waldbaums, 122-15 Beach Channel Drive between Beach 65th and Beach 66th Place

Staten Island Shelter - Tottenville High School, 100 Luten Avenue, Staten Island

Bus locations:
Miller Field at 600 New Dorp Lane at Weed Avenue
Mount Loretto at 6581 Hylan Blvd at Sharrotts Road

Coney Island Shelter - John Jay High School, 237 7th Avenue, Brooklyn

Bus location:
MCU Park Parking Lot at 1904 Surf Avenue in Coney Island

Manhattan Shelter - George Washington High School, 549 Audubon, Manhattan

Bus location:
Seward Park High School, 350 Grand Street, Manhattan.

FOOD, WATER AND BLANKET DISTRIBUTION
Will resume Sunday from 1 PM-5 PM, locations will be updated at www.nyc.gov.

WARMING CENTER LOCATIONS AND HOURS FOR SUNDAY

• Riverdale Y Senior Center, 5625 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, 9 AM - 5 PM
• Council Center for Senior Citizens, 1001 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, 9 AM - 3PM
• Lenox Hill Innovative Senior Center, 343 East 70th Street, Manhattan, 9 AM - 5PM
• YMYWHA Innovative Senior Center, 54 Nagel Avenue, Manhattan Sun 9 AM - 5PM
• Project Find Woodstock Senior Center, 127 W. 43rd Street, Manhattan, 9 AM - 5 PM
• Senior Guild Luncheon Program, 120 Anderson Avenue, Staten Island, 9 AM- 6 PM

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS
Those that do choose to remain in their homes without heat should:

• Find a warm place to spend go several times a day. New York City has opened warming centers. To find a location, visit www.nyc.gov
• Cover all bare skin. Wear loose layers for warmth, wear gloves and a hat indoors.
• Drink warm liquids throughout the day, but avoid excessive caffeine.
• Never use a gas stove or range, or a portable gas heater to heat your home. They emit carbon monoxide and can kill.

People should watch for signs of hypothermia and if they occur, seek a warm place and medical attention. Early signs of hypothermia include:

• Confusion or sleepiness, slowed or slurred speech
• Uncontrollable shivering or stiffness in the arms and legs
• Poor control over body movements and slow reaction

If you suspect someone is suffering from excessive cold, take their body temperature. If it is below 96 degrees, call 911 immediately.