BY CRAIG GILBERT
Greater SudburyÂ?s Social Services division issued an extreme cold weather alert late Friday that extended over the weekend.
 |
The 48-hour alert was issued at 4 pm Friday. It was the fourth alert issued since Nov. 1, bringing the total number of cold weather alert days to five.
The extreme cold weather alert is a short-term emergency response to increase available services for people who are especially vulnerable to intense cold, according to a city release.
People on the street are urged to take advantage of the shelters at their disposal, but must do so of their own volition, since the shelters donÂ?t have the authority to detain anyone against their will.
Those who may be at risk in their own home are also eligible for assistance.
The Elizabeth Fry Transitional Home, Foyer Notre Dame, Genevra House, Inner Sight Educational Homes and the Salvation Army Centre increased their shelter capacity and were more lenient with curfews over the weekend.
The Elgin St. Mission extended its hours overnight.
The Community Outreach Program made contact with people on the street, handed out blankets, coffee and extra clothing and helped them get to shelters if they so desired.
Concerned citizens can phone the Outreach ProgramsÂ? hotline at 675-6422 during an extreme cold weather alert.
Statistics on the number of blankets handed out and the number of people assisted during extended hours for November wonÂ?t be available until around Christmas.
The Greater Sudbury Police Service, the Canadian Red Cross and the Sudbury and District Health Unit are also partners in the extreme weather strategy.
The health unit, as part of the extreme weather alert, released a public education bulletin on the perils of frostbite.
Frostbite is the freezing of a body part, and with hypothermia, makes up the most common but preventable cold weather injuries.
Extremities such as the nose, cheeks, ears, toes and fingers.
