City to provide cold weather centers

Current forecasts call for dangerously cold temperatures and hazardous wind chill conditions through Saturday, January 16th. Residents should try to minimize outside activities, and be especially alert to the safety of the elderly and the very young. Hypothermia is a genuine hazard in these conditions. For those with heating emergencies or no access to shelter, the city will be operating warming centers at the following locations: the Holland Street Center at 167 Holland Street; the Ralph & Jenny Center at 9 New Washington Street and the Cross Street Center at 165 Broadway. All warming centers will be open on Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the city will extend the hours if needed. Please be alert to anyone who may be suffering distress as a result of the cold weather – and be especially conscious of the needs of elderly neighbors. Please also be conscious of the fire risks associated with electric space heaters. If you see anyone in your neighborhood, or on the streets, who may need assistance, don't hesitate to call the Somerville Police at 617-625-1212. For additional information, please call 311. Thank you.

Here are additional precautions from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

Continue to be aware of the weather conditions by monitoring media reports.

Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young. Also, consider your pets.

Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately. Slowly rewarm the affected areas as you await medical assistance.

Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases. The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If the person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care. If medical assistance is not available, slowly warm up the person, body core first, wrapping them in a blanket or using your own body heat. Do not warm the extremities first, for this drives the cold blood towards the heart and can lead to heart failure. Do not give the person alcohol, coffee, tea or any hot food or beverage. Warm liquids are best.

Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity.

When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, take the necessary safety precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher handy; ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors.

If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.

Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives and friends to ensure their safety.

To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze. Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.