Anyone who has lost heat, or is suffering from insufficient heat, can take advantage of the warming centers.
The city's two community centers and two senior centers will be open as warming stations from Wed., Jan. 23rd through Sat., Jan. 26th
• Mary McLeod Bethune Community Center, 140 Martin Luther King Dr. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Pershing Field Community Center, Pershing Field Complex Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Joseph Connors Senior Center (Paterson Street Center) 28 Paterson St. off of Central Avenue Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The Maureen Collier Community Center 335 Bergen Avenue between Ege and Virginia Aves. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following libraries will also be open to the Jersey City community at large, as well as seniors who need a place to warm up. The locations and time schedule are as follows:
Five Corners Library, 678 Newark Avenue
Hours: Monday, 12Noon-8 PM; Tuesday through Thursday, 10AM-6 PM; Friday & Saturday, 9AM - 5 PM Jersey City Main Library, 472 Jersey Avenue
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9AM - 8PM; Friday& Saturday, 9AM -5 PM Greenville Library, 1841 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10AM-6 PM; Tuesday, 12Noon-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 9AM -5 PM Glenn D. Cunningham Library, 275 Martin Luther King Drive
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 10AM-6 PM; Wednesday, 12Noon-8 PM; Friday & Saturday 9AM -5 PM Miller Branch Library, 489 Bergen Avenue
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 10AM-6 PM; Wednesday, 12Noon-8 PM; Friday, 9AM -5 PM; and Saturday, 10AM - 2PM The Heights Branch Library, 14 Zabriskie Avenue
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 10AM-6 PM; Thursday, 12Noon-8 PM; Friday & Saturday, 9AM -5 PM
"The City has a local heat ordinance in place and any landlord who does not comply with that ordinance, faces a summons and fines," said Mayor Healy. "Housing Code Inspectors have made this a top priority and are out inspecting more than 120 complaints received yesterday and today for lack of heat."
The local heat ordinance requires that when heat is supplied in dwellings of two families or more or in places of employment, and there is no written agreement to the contrary, that heat of a temperature NOT LESS than 70 degrees Fahrenheit must be supplied from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and heat of a temperature NOT LESS than 65 degrees Fahrenheit must be supplied from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. between October 1 and April 30 and whenever the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees between May 1 and September 30.
Cold weather and winter storms can be a challenge to staying warm and healthy. The following tips can help you stay safe:
Personal Safety
??Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious or life-threatening health problems, including hypothermia. Anyone can be affected, but infants and the elderly are particularly at risk.
??Hypothermia is the name given to a dangerously low body temperature that results from prolonged exposure to the cold. The symptoms of hypothermia include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion, severe shivering, and weak pulse.
??When it is extremely cold, or if there are high winds, limit the amount of time you are outdoors. If possible, avoid being outside in the coldest part of the day.
??If you do go outside, dress warmly and stay dry. Dress in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Wear a hat that covers your ears, gloves, and a scarf.
??Don't over do it! Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart so take it easy when doing outdoor chores, such as shoveling. If you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's advice.
Driving Safety
??Storms make driving hazardous, so avoid going out if you can. Listen for radio or television reports of travel advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
??If you must drive somewhere, be sure your vehicle has snow tires and take a mobile phone with you. Be sure someone knows your destination and when you expect to arrive. Ask them to notify authorities if you are late.
??Be sure your car has emergency supplies, such as a snow shovel, ice scraper and brush, flashlight and extra batteries, extra windshield washer fluid, and additional warm clothing.
??Be sure your windshield wipers are working properly.
For more cold weather safety tips, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter.
Conserving Energy When It's Cold
During cold weather, residents can reduce their use of electricity by following these simple energy-saving steps:
??Set your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. Turning the thermostat back 10 to 15 percent eight hours a day can trim seasonal heating costs up to 10 percent. Thermostats in homes with infants, elderly, or ill individuals should be set higher.
??Before the heating season begins, have your heating system cleaned and inspected by a qualified contractor. A clean, well-maintained system will operate more efficiently and use less fuel.
??Prevent heat loss by sealing air leaks around window and door frames with caulk or weather stripping.
??Retain heat by installing storm or thermal windows and doors, double-paned glass, or plastic sheeting over doors and windows.
??Keep shades and curtains open during the day so the sun can make your home warmer. Close them in the evening to keep the heat in.
??Move drapes or furniture from around radiators so that heat can flow freely.
??Be sure to insulate the attic properly. Since heat rises, adding a layer of insulation to the attic will conserve heat.
??Remove window air conditioner units in the winter. If you can't, enclose the unit with an air conditioner cover to stop drafts.
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