Cincinnati—Mayor Mark Mallory and Cincinnati Health Commissioner Dr. Noble Maseru today jointly declared a Winter Shelter Emergency for Monday, Feb. 7 through Tuesday, Feb 8. This means the Emergency Winter Shelter located at the Over-the-Rhine Community Center, 1715 Republic St., will be open Monday and Tuesday nights from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Social service agencies and community organizations should refer persons who are not accepted by existing shelters to the OTR Center. Staff is continuing to monitor the weather conditions during this cold spell for future Emergency Winter Shelter openings.
Though very much appreciated and valued, the OTR Emergency Weather Shelter is not equipped or staffed to handle unexpected donations. Please advise individuals interested in making food or clothing donations or volunteering their time to first coordinate with Josh Spring of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 421-7803 ext. 13 or 716-7455 (cell).
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A Winter Shelter Emergency is declared when temperatures are in the single digits and/or wind chill is in the single digits for sustained periods of time; when it is determined that regular shelters are expected to be filled to capacity; and life threatening conditions could result from lack of temporary housing. In addition, the Winter Shelter Emergency communication system remains activated.
The Mayor’s Office, Cincinnati Health Department, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Cincinnati Police, The Drop Inn Center, Duke Energy and the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition are collaborating to provide temporary shelter and support services.
“As the temperatures begin to drop for another extended cold period, it is crucial for people to have shelter with adequate heating inside,” Dr. Steve Englender, Director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness for the Cincinnati Health Department, said.
The elderly, young children, adults under the influence of alcohol and the mentally ill are some of the most at risk populations for hypothermia, which is an abnormally low body temperature that can affect the brain and make the victim unable to think clearly or move well. Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness are all warning signs for hypothermia. Frostbite, an injury to the body caused by freezing resulting in a loss of feeling and color in affected areas such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes, is also a risk.
Given these extreme temperatures, the Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) caution people to protect themselves, and to check to make sure their families, friends and neighbors stay safe and warm this winter.
Remember to:
· Eat well balanced meals with plenty of carbohydrates, and avoid alcohol.
· Limit skin exposure to the extreme cold and avoid extended periods of exposure.
· Wear proper clothing such as a hat, scarf, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens and several layers of dry clothing.
· If you suspect a problem with frostbite or hypothermia, you should seek medical care. If body temperature is below 95 degrees, it is an emergency.
· CDC Cold weather tips: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/a100105.htm
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