MIAMI, FL January 4, 2018 — Cold weather expected the next few nights has prompted Martin, Okeechobee, Collier, St Lucie, Indian River and Highlands Counties with support from the American Red Cross and local partners, to provide the following warming centers and cold weather shelters:

Palm Beach County

• Westgate Park and Recreation Center (7pm-7am Wed) 

• • 3691 Oswego Avenue West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. (7pm-7am Wed)

• West County Senior Center (7pm-7am Wed) 

• • 2916 State Road #15 Belle Glade FL 33430 ((7pm-7am Wed)

Collier County

• Golden Gate Community Center (9pm-9am Wed & Thurs)

• • 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples, FL 34116 

• Immokalee Community Park (9pm-9am Wed & Thurs) 

• • 321 N 1^st St, Immokalee, FL 34142 

Highlands County

• Bert Harris Agri-Civic Center (7pm-8am) 

• • 4509 George Blvd, Sebring, FL 33875 

Martin County

• Indiantown Boys & Girls Club (7pm – 7am Wed , Thurs & Fri)

• • 17375 Palm Beach, Indiantown, FL 34956 

• Gertrude Walden Daycare Center (7pm – 7am Wed, Thurs & Fri)

• • 601 SE Lake St., Stuart 34994 34956 

Okeechobee County

• Douglas Brown Community Center (7am-8am) 

• • 826 NE 16^th Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34972 (7am-8am)

These shelters and warming centers are calling for the Red Cross to support county shelter operations because of the organization’s technical knowledge. Local Red Cross volunteers trained in nursing, mental health services, feeding and mass care/sheltering will be on-site or on-call throughout the evening to support our community.

There is no charge for staying at the warming centers and cold weather shelters. Shelter residents may not bring illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, any weapons or pets to a cold weather shelter or warming center. For more information, call 211 helpline or call (866) 882-2991.

Red Cross suggests the following Cold Weather Safety Tips:

• Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
• Make sure you’re wearing a hat that covers your ears.
• Dress in layers so you can remove a few layers if you get too warm.
• Recognize the signs of hypothermia – confusion, dizziness, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion, severe shivering, and slurred speech.
• Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket.
• Drink warm fluids like hot cider or soup while avoiding caffeine or alcohol.
• Follow your doctor’s order regarding any strenuous exercise outside if you have cardiac problems or high blood pressure.

Red Cross suggests the following Fire Safety Tips:

• General Safety: Keep flammable items at least three feet away from anything that gets hot. Never smoke in bed. Keep matches and lighters away from children. 
• Cooking: Keep flammable items like towels and clothing away from the stove.
• Portable Heaters: Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and get training from the fire department on how to use it. Keep blankets, curtains, furniture and other flammable items away from heaters. Plug heaters directly into a wall socket and unplug when not in use.
• Electricity: Never overload electrical outlets. Avoid running cords under carpet and furniture.
• Smoke Alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including sleeping areas. Test and dust smoke alarms monthly, change the batteries yearly. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. 
• Fire Escape Drills: Make a fire escape plan with two exits out of every room. Practice your plan twice a year. Identify an outside meeting place to gather after escaping. Teach children that firefighters are their friends who can help.
• In Case of a Fire: Follow your escape plan. Crawl low under smoke. Feel closed doors; if the door is hot, use your second way out. Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help. Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1.

How You Can Help

Help people affected by disasters like wildfires/floods/tornadoes and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org/donate, or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

RED CROSS APPS: People can download the all-inclusive Red Cross Emergency app which combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And there is a special mobile app -Monster Guard - designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game. Users can find the apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross .

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