City Officials Urge New Yorkers to Take Extra Precautions in Snow Weather

Boro Park woke up today blanketed in snow, as frigid temperatures and icy streets settled over the neighborhood, prompting renewed calls for caution and care,especially for the most vulnerable residents.

Local officials are urging residents to check on neighbors, relatives, and friends, particularly elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and anyone with limited mobility or access to proper heating. In this kind of cold, some people may be unable to safely leave their homes or operate heating equipment on their own.

There is also a strong reminder to practice fire safety as heaters and electric devices are working overtime. Space heaters should be used with extreme caution:

• Keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Plug them directly into a wall outlet, not into an extension cord or power strip.
• Turn them off or unplug them when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Residents are being warned never to use stoves or ovens to heat their homes.

Families are encouraged to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed. If there is a smell of gas or a carbon monoxide alarm begins to sound, people should leave immediately and call 911.

Health officials members stress the importance of recognizing signs of hypothermia, which can develop slowly and become life-threatening. Warning signs include:

• Confusion
• Slowed or slurred speech
• Intense shivering
• Drowsiness
• Loss of coordination

If such symptoms are observed, call 911 right away. Until help arrives, the person should be moved to a warm place, wet clothing should be removed, and they should be covered with blankets.

For those who must go out into the snow, residents are advised to dress in layers, walk carefully on snow and ice, and wear sturdy shoes or boots to prevent slips and falls.

As Boro Park navigates the wintry conditions, officials emphasize that with simple precautions, checking on neighbors, using heaters safely, and watching for signs of cold-related illness, the community can stay safer and better protected during the cold snap.