How to keep safe and warm in cold weather
By David Stacy
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Training via Wikimedia Commons
Dressing for Cold Weather
When you’re out or exposed to cold weather, dressing in layers is more effective than just wearing one heavy coat. Keeping your hands, feet, and head covered also helps to retain heat throughout your body. It only takes 30 minutes of exposed skin in below freezing temperatures to cause hypothermia. There are warming stations throughout the city of Pittsburgh for those in need of a safe place to keep warm. Please contact 311 for any further information about locations in your area. Please always think and look out for neighbors who are elderly or disabled and need assistance. If you see a homeless person who is in dire need and sleeping out in the elements, get a description of the individual and the location where they are staying. We suggest calling 311 so they can direct you to a social service agency that will reach out to the individual for assistance. There are city ordinances that protect pets and
domestic animals that are exposed to the elements. All dogs, no matter what size or breed, must be kept inside your home or an attached, heated garage. Dogs are NOT allowed to be tethered or kept outside in below freezing weather for more than 30 minutes at a time and must be accompanied by a responsible person. Animal shelters can also assist any feral cats that are in your neighborhood to keep them safe and warm. Please contact your local animal shelter for details. If you see any animal in distress or in dire conditions, please contact the Bureau of Animal Care & Control. You can contact them Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 412-255-2036. Please note: You can also call 911 for assistance.
Snow Angels
The City of Pittsburgh has a program for seniors and disabled folks that will assist them with snow and ice removal around their property and on their public sidewalks. If you are one of these folks or know of someone in need, please call 311 for a Snow
Angel application.
The Northside Public Safety Council meeting will be cancelled for the month of January due to the holidays, but will resume in February. Regular monthly meeting dates are the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Please contact us if you have any questions or need any more information.
David Stacy is the president of the Northside Public Safety Council. (NPSC). Please contact NPSC for more information or details by phone at 412-321-0295 or via email: zone1psc@gmail.com. Regular NPSC meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month starting at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the Manchester Citizens Corporation, 1319 Allegheny Ave., 15233.
