JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With dangerously cold temperatures hitting Jacksonville, the City Rescue Mission said it will extend its overnight shelter services for the next couple of days.
The shelter on W. State Street will open its doors Monday and Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
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“We will not turn anyone away,” said Paul Stasi, LCSW, Executive Director of City Rescue Mission. “We want to ensure that everyone without a home has a warm shelter and a hot meal during this cold weather. Safety and care are our top priorities.”
The shelter’s expanded hours and increased overnight capacity will remain in place as long as the temperatures stay below 40 degrees.
People seeking shelter can check it at CRM’s New Life Inn campus located at 234 W. State Street in Jacksonville.
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JEA tips on staying warm while saving money
Heating your home the right way is essential on cold days like these. It’s especially important to find a safe and cost-effective way to do it.
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower at night and when you’re not home, since turning it up too high can increase your bill.
- If you use a space heater, only turn it on when you’re in the room
- To keep your home warm, seal any drafts with weather-stripping or rolled-up towels
You can also track your daily energy use and find more ways to save using the JEA app.
JFRD on safety tips
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department also offered safety tips to prepare for the drastic weather shift.
Use caution with space heaters:
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn
- Plug heaters directly into outlets. Never use extension cords or power strips
- Turn off heaters when leaving a room or going to sleep
- Never leave space heaters unattended
Practice fireplace safety:
- Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually
- Don’t overload fireplaces with wood
- Use screens or glass doors to prevent sparks from escaping
- Never leave fires unattended
- Ensure fires are fully extinguished before going to bed
Critical safety reminders:
- Never use ovens or appliances not designed as heating devices to warm your home
- Ensure working smoke alarms are installed on every floor and outside each bedroom
- Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home
- Never use outdoor appliances like grills or generators indoors
- Create and practice a fire escape plan with all household members