Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Dr. Mark J. Wade are activating a “Code Blue” for Sunday, February 13, through Monday, February 14. Over this two-day period, temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 21°F with a wind chill factor dropping into the single digits as low as 5°F with possible snow and rain.
“Code Blue” is called when temperatures reach 25°F or lower without precipitation, 32°F with precipitation, or when there is a wind chill factor of 0°. Residents are reminded to continue being cautious during extreme cold weather.
The City is also reminding residents that there are emergency shelters operating during the extreme cold weather and about its partnerships with Social Service agencies. For more information about sheltering services, contact the shelters listed below or the Office of Homeless Services at: (973) 877-9481, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
| Shelter | Address and Phone Number | Population Served |
| Apostle House | 513-515 Avon Avenue Newark, NJ (973) 482-0625 | Women and children only |
| Isaiah House | 238 North Munn Avenue East Orange, NJ (973) 678-5882 | Single mothers and families with children |
| Catholic Charities-St. Rocco’s | 368 South 7th Street Newark, NJ (973) 286-4175 | Families with children |
| Circle of Life | 55 Tillinghast Street Newark, NJ (862) 763-4859 | Adults only LGBTQ Friendly |
| Fairmont Health | 202 Fairmont Avenue Newark, NJ (973) 643-7705 | Adults only |
| H.E.L.P. Center | 224 Sussex Avenue Newark, NJ (973) 705-7200 | Adults only |
The City offers the following tips on keeping homes safe and coping with extreme winter weather:
- Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68°F. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68°F will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
- Identify the locations for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.
- Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.
- Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.
- Do not leave space heaters unattended.
- Do not use generators indoors.
- It is illegal to use kerosene heaters indoors.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Take inventory of emergency items.
