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NEW YORK. CITY HALL.  
  
         Bloomberg speaking at podium
By Jacques Dussek, Romy Dussek and Jean Dupiton


 2007
 

 

 

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MAYOR BLOOMBERG PUBLIC SCHEDULE.

   
 9:00 AM   Hosts 2nd Annual Breakfast in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
                 City Hall Council Chambers, MANHATTAN   
               
10:30 AM  Speaks at 18th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
                  Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gillman Opera House
                  30 Lafayette Avenue between Ahsland Place and St. Felix Street, BROOKLYN

11:30 AM  Speaks At The Third Annual Institute for Civic Leadership Dare to Dream
                   Conference 
                  The American Museum of Natural History, Kaufman Auditorium
                  77th Street between Columbus Avenue & Central Park West, MANHATTAN
   
12:30 PM   Speaks at Baptist Ministers' Conference of Greater New York Martin Luther
                   King,  Jr. Worship Service, Convent Avenue Baptist Church, 
                    420 West 145th Street at Convent Avenue, MANHATTAN

1:15 PM     Attends National Action Network Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Panel 
                  Cannan Baptist Church, 132 West 116th Street.  MANHATTAN 
 

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCE OPENING OF TEMPORARY WARMING CENTERS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that due to the unusually extreme
temperatures and the number of homes that have been without heat, the City
in partnership with the American Red Cross, will open a temporary warming
center in each of the five boroughs for a limited period during the cold
weather emergency.  For more information about warming centers, residents
should call 311.

    "The City is opening warming centers for New Yorkers who are without
heat in their building to help them get through this severe cold spell,"
said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Office of Emergency Management along with the
American Red Cross will run these centers starting at 4:00 p.m.  and
they will operate much like the temporary cooling centers we operate in the
summer.  These will be places for people that do not have heat in their
building, have no other options like going to a neighbor or family members
house, and need a place to warm up."

"In light of the exceptionally cold weather, the City is opening warming
centers for those without heat," said Calvin Drayton, acting OEM
Commissioner. "We urge all New Yorkers to take necessary steps to stay warm
and safe during this period of cold temperatures."

The City strongly recommends those without heat stay with friends or family
if possible. For residents without heat who have no other options, five temporary warming
centers will be open as of 4 p.m. at the following locations:

    *    Bronx: Adlai Stevenson High School, 1980 Lafayette Avenue
    *    Brooklyn: Paul Robeson High School, 150 Albany Avenue
    *    Manhattan: City College, 181 Convent Ave.
    *    Staten Island: Michael J. Petrides High School, 715 Ocean Terrace
    *    Queens: Grover Cleveland High School, 2127 Himrod St.

About Warming Centers

    *    City-run warming centers will be set up at select schools and universities. If possible,
          bring clothing, bedding, bathing and sanitary supplies, special food and pre-filled
          prescriptions and other medications to warming centers.
    *    Alcoholic beverages, firearms and illegal substances are not allowed in warming
         centers.
    *    You cannot bring pets to warming centers. Only service animals are allowed.
    *    Cooperate with center managers and other people in order to make a difficult situation
          less stressful.

Tips for Staying Warm

The City recommends all New Yorkers heed the following cold weather safety tips to ensure they are adequately protected.  Exposure to cold can cause life-threatening health conditions. Avoid serious conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia, by keeping warm.

    *    Wear a hat, hood or scarf, as most heat is lost through the head.
    *    Wear layers, as they provide better insulation and warmth.
    *    Keep fingertips, earlobes and noses covered if you gooutside.
    *    Keep clothing dry; if a layer becomes wet, remove it.

Safe Home Heating Tips

Improper use of portable heating equipment can lead to fire or dangerouslevels of carbon monoxide. Take precautions to ensure you are heating your home safely.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

    *    Make sure all fuel-burning items - such as furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, and 
          clothes dryers - are operating properly, ventilated and regularly inspected by a
          professional in order to prevent unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.
    *    If you have a working fireplace, keep chimneys clean and clear of debris.
    *    Never turn on your oven to heat your kitchen, or operate gas or charcoal barbecue grills
         kerosene- or oil-burning heater in an enclosed space.
    *   Common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache dizziness, chest pain,
         nausea.
    *    If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911, and getthe victim to fresh air
          immediately, and open windows.
    *    Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.

Fire Safety

    *    Use only portable heating equipment that is approved forindoor use.
    *    Keep combustible materials, including furniture, drapes, andcarpeting at least three
          feet away from the heat source. NEVER drape clothes over a space heater to dry them.
    *    Always keep an eye on heating equipment. Never leave children alone in the room
          where a space heater is running. Turn it off whenyou are unable to closely monitor it.
    *    Be careful not to overload electrical circuits.
    *    Make sure you have a working smoke detector in every room.Check and change
         batteries often.

What to Do If You Lose Heat

Every resident is entitled to heat and hot water.  Tenants without adequate heat or hot water
should first speak with the building owner, manager, or superintendent.  If the problem is not
corrected, tenants should call 311.  The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will attempt to contact your building's owner to get heat or hot water service restored. 

If service has not been restored, HPD will send an inspector to your building to verify the complaint and issue a violation. If your landlord does not live up to his or her legal obligation, HPD will call in emergency contractors to fix the boiler or do whatever is required to get your heat and hot water working again.  If you lose heat, take measures to trapexisting warm air, and safely stay warm until heat returns:

    *    Insulate your home as much as possible. Hang blankets over windows and doorways
          and stay in a well-insulated room while power is out.
    *    Dress warmly. Wear hats, scarves, gloves and layered clothing.
    *    If you have a working fireplace, use it for heat and light, but be sure to keep the damper
         open for ventilation.
    *    If the cold persists and your heat is not restored, call family, neighbors or friends to see
          if you can stay with them.
    *    Open your faucets to a steady drip so pipes do not freeze.

 

 

 
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