As temperatures in Cook County are expected to reach record lows in the coming days, the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) is urging residents to take precautions to stay safe. Municipalities and townships across the county have opened warming centers for those who may not have sufficient heating at home.
The list of available warming centers includes locations in Berwyn, Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Cicero, Elk Grove, Hanover, Lemont, Leyden, Maine, Niles, Norwood Park, Oak Park, Orland Park, Palatine, Palos, Proviso, Rich, River Forest, Riverside, Schaumburg, Stickney, Wheeling and Worth. Many of these facilities offer specific hours and some provide transportation options for residents who need assistance getting to a center.
A full list of warming center locations and their operating hours can be found on the EMRS website at https://cookcountyemergencymanagement.org/cook-county-warming-centers.
In addition to utilizing these resources during extreme cold weather events, EMRS reminds residents to follow important safety tips: never use an oven for heat; do not bring charcoal or gas grills indoors due to carbon monoxide risks; unplug portable heaters when not in use; keep electric space heaters away from flammable materials and turn them off before sleeping; maintain adequate indoor heat or leave faucets dripping slightly to prevent frozen pipes; and remain physically active as movement helps generate body heat.
These measures aim to help protect individuals and families throughout Cook County as winter weather intensifies.
