Residents encouraged to practice cold weather and fire safety
Santa Rosa County Public Safety urges residents to be prepared for the cold weather that will settle in late Thursday (Dec. 5) night through Friday (Dec. 6) morning by remembering the 5 P's of cold weather safety.
Santa Rosa County is under a cold weather advisory from midnight tonight to 8 a.m. Friday for very cold wind chill values on Friday morning. The wind chill drops into the upper 10s to low 20s early Friday morning (18-25 degrees). Wind chills below 25 degrees can be hazardous with long exposure to humans and animals. Air temperatures below 30 degrees will also result in damage to sensitive crops.
5 P's of Cold Weather Safety:
Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and elderly family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at a home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
Protect Exposed Pipes: Cover pipes and outdoor faucets. On occasion, outdoor faucets may need to be allowed to slowly drip to prevent freezing and breaking.
Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures or bring potted plants inside.
Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
Cold weather shelter open nights Thur., Dec. 5 and Fri., Dec. 6
The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will open nights Thur., Dec. 5 and Fri., Dec. 6 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.
The cold weather shelter is in need of donations of new socks and underwear, but mostly socks. All sizes - kids to adults with more adult sizes needed at this time.
Donations can be dropped off at Ferris Hill Baptist Church Office, 6848 Chaffin Street in Milton, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to noon. Or, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on nights the shelter is open. If other drop-off arrangements are needed, you may call the church at 850-623-3500 and select option 6 to leave a message with the cold weather shelter coordinator.
Santa Rosa County's cold weather shelter is operated by Ferris Hill Baptist Church, utilizing volunteer resources and donations. It opens each night weather is forecasted to drop below 40 degrees, typically November through March. The shelter is for people who are homeless or cannot maintain heat in their home, can care for themselves, and are not at risk to themselves or others. No one will be admitted to the shelter who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unable to walk unaided or disoriented.
