Winter Weather Safety Announcement

Watch the report from 6 ABC Action News

Read the report from KYW Newsradio 1060AM: City Hall Offers Tips For Dealing With Cold And Snow

The City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director Richard Negrin and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers highlighted a number of winter weather safety initiatives, reminders and tips for the public. They were joined by Donna Palmieri of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter and officials from the Office of Emergency Management (OEO), Licenses & Inspections (L&I), Health, Streets and Water departments in providing information on available emergency resources, including shelters, 3-1-1 call center hours, fire and plumbing safety tips and a reminder about a recently passed City Ordinance requiring residents to shovel sidewalks in front of their properties.

“Last year, Philadelphians were faced with some of the worst winter weather our city has experienced in a century. However, Philadelphians are resilient. They helped their neighbors and worked together. Our city employees quickly and efficiently got snow off the streets,” said Rich Negrin. “We want Philadelphians to be aware of available services across the city in the case of extreme winter weather.”

Donna Palmieri, COO and interim CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter said “We work closely with the Mayor’s office and the Office of Emergency Management to make sure immediate and emergency needs are met. When necessary, Red Cross shelters are critical to helping people keep warm when their power goes out, there’s been a fire, or some other issue where heat isn’t available. The Red Cross provides blankets, hot drinks, shoes, clothing, and in some cases, a place to sleep.”

The following details were announced today:

• Approximately 350 beds will be available at emergency shelters across Philadelphia. The public can learn more about shelter locations and hours by contacting Project HOME at 215-232-1984 or by calling 3-1-1. 
• For information about services that are available to the elderly, the public is asked to call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging help line at 215-765-9040 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  
• The Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) urges the public to use caution with using heating equipment, electrical wiring and fireplaces. To learn more about fire safety tips, the public can go to the department’s website www.freedomefromfire.com or call 215-686-1382. The PFD will continue to provide free smoke alarms to residents. To obtain a free smoke alarm, residents are asked to call 215-686-1176. 
• To report leaks in City streets or sidewalks that could potentially create slippery conditions or to learn about plumbing safety tips, the public is asked to call the Philadelphia Water Department’s 24-hour water emergency hotline at 215-685-6300. 
• DHS would like to inform families regarding safe co-sleeping with babies and infants. Infants should sleep in a heated room in a crib or bassinet free from pillows, blankets or clutter. Co-sleeping can augment the danger of suffocation. 
• A City Ordinance that was recently passed mandates residents and business owners shovel a minimum 36-inch wide path on the sidewalk in front of their properties within six hours of a snowstorm.

3-1-1 Call Center operators are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. to provide additional winter weather safety information.