In the wake of the coldest New Year’s Day ever recorded in New Jersey, the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Union would like to remind residents to take precautions against the record-low temperatures this season.
“These below-freezing temperatures can be life-threatening to some of our residents,” said Suzette Cavadas, Mayor. “Everyone needs a warm and dry place in order to stay safe, especially once temperatures dip below 25 degrees.”
As a result, Cavadas and her colleagues are encouraging residents to check on neighbors and elderly residents to ensure their wellbeing, and urge people to make sure their pets are kept indoors.
Additionally, they are encouraging residents with housing and heating problems to seek proper shelter through the Union County Code Blue Shelter Initiative.
A Code Blue alert starts with the Union County Office of Emergency Management, which transmits warnings of severe, potentially life-threatening cold weather from the National Weather Service.
County Police then get the word out to law enforcement personnel in all 21 municipalities in order to identify and locate people potentially in need of help after which shelter placements are made by the Division of Social Services.
Residents of the Township of Union in need of shelter during these periods are directed to contact the Union County Division of Social Services between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri. at 908-965-3706. In addition, after hour referrals can be directed to: Plainfield Area YMCA at (908) 756-6061.
Information on the Code Blue Shelter Initiative is available at http://ucnj.org/departments/human-services/code-blue-homeless-emergency-shelter-initiative/.
For further information on the Township of Union, contact the Office of Public Information at 908-851-5096. Don’t forget to visit online at www.uniontownship.com, and follow the Township of Union on Facebook, @TwpUnionNJ; Twitter, @TownshipofUnion; and on Instagram @TwpofUnion.