With forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County warming centers will be open for residents. Warming centers will be open through Tuesday, Nov. 11, beginning each evening at 6:30 p.m., according to city officials
For transportation assistance, contact Frontline Response Dispatch at (404) 334-3610. Walk-ins are welcome at 2585 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta starting at 12 noon each activation day.
Locations include:
• Frontline Response International – 2585 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta
• St. Vincent de Paul – 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Rd, Chamblee
• Mason Mill Recreation Center – 1340 McConnell Dr, Decatur
• Exchange Park Intergenerational Center – 2771 Columbia Dr, Decatur
• Golden Door Warming Center (Women & Children) – 2944 Ember Dr, Decatur
Brookhaven Emergency Management Supervisor Sergeant Matthew Murray also provided tips to for chilly weather.
“A few simple steps today can keep your home and family safe all winter long,” Murray said in a press release from the city.
- Remember the three P’s – pets, plants, and pipes. Pets should be brought inside; plants should be covered or brought inside; and faucets (both hot and cold) should be left dripping when the temperatures drop below freezing. Insulate water heaters and pipes, especially external spigots. Unhook outside hoses.
- Stock up on fuel and get an alternative heat source particularly in older homes and areas prone to power outages. Consider alternative heat sources, like firewood or a generator, in case of a power outage.
- Prepare a “72-hour” kit consisting of the essentials to handle the initial brunt of a power outage. Add coats, extra socks, hand/foot warmers, blankets, and long sleeve shirts to your kit. Also include extra non-perishable canned goods, a battery-operated radio, sterno canned heat, and disposable eating utensils. Have extra flashlights and batteries in supply and try to keep candle use to a minimum to lower the risk of accidental fires.
- Get chimneys and furnaces cleaned and review heater safety with your family.
- Cold weather and loss of power leads to use of indoor heaters that can increase house fire risks. Teach your kids how to respect space heaters.
- Make sure your car is ready for the cold: Check tires, antifreeze and other fluid levels. Update your car’s emergency kit with blankets, an ice scraper, snack food, hand/foot warmers, an emergency blanket, and a small shovel. You can also add a flashlight and a 12-volt adapter coil heater that can plug into the lighter to heat water.
- Keep a supply of medication on hand, enough to last a few days. Also, add the phone numbers of older or disabled neighbors to your phone contacts, just in case, and have cell phones configured for automatic weather alerts.
- Have a supply of rock salt or similar melting product on hand for driveways in case of an icing event.
- Learn how to shut off utilities safely in the event of burst pipes or electrical failure.
Residents can receive updates during emergencies from DeKalb County’s Emergency Management emergency notification system, CodeRED. Visit the code red website for details.
