Preparing for Dangerously Cold Temperatures

With dangerously cold temperatures in the forecast for the holiday weekend, the City of Greenville is asking residents to check on older or medically fragile loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are properly equipped. Freezing temperatures can be dangerous, especially for our most vulnerable citizens, so it is important to make sure the temperature of their homes is comfortable and that they are heating their homes safely.

Heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Follow these tips to help prevent fires and stay safe this winter:

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles
• Never use an oven to heat your home
• Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional

Long term, the Greenville Police Department’s Community Care program is a wonderful resource for residents who need periodic contact to ensure their safety and security. Residents who are eligible for this free program include:

• Individuals with life-impairing disabilities

• Individuals who are homebound

• Individuals without local contacts to check on their welfare

Through the Community Care program, residents receive an automated call each day and if they are okay, they press 6 and hang up. If they require assistance, they press 9 to request that an officer responds to their location. If there is no answer or the resident hangs up without pressing a number, an officer is dispatched to their location. 

Register for the Community Care program  

The City uses social media and electronic alerts during severe weather events and other emergency situations to help you and your family stay safe. We encourage you to follow the City on Facebook and Twitter and to subscribe to City Alerts, in the Alert Center on our website. This will enable us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations.

You can also sign up for CodeRED, an electronic emergency notification system that allows public safety officials to alert residents and businesses of emergency situations by telephone, cell phone, text message and email.