Garden State Times

Commissioner Jonathan Young from the Camden County Department of Public Safety has announced a Code Blue Advisory for the region. This advisory will be in effect from Monday morning to Sunday morning, with a winter storm warning starting at 1 a.m. on January 6 and lasting until 1 a.m. on January 7. The area is expected to receive between three to five inches of snow, with temperatures reaching a high of 31 degrees.

The Code Blue advisory, issued by the Health Officer, will be effective all day from Monday, January 6 through Thursday, January 9, and during specific evening hours from Friday, January 10 to Sunday, January 12.

Young emphasized the importance of staying indoors during this period: “The temperature is set to drop dangerously low, so it is critical that everyone is inside and away from the elements.” He also highlighted the need for elderly residents and those with disabilities to ensure their heating systems are functional and advised pet owners to bring animals indoors.

Municipalities are expected to activate their Code Blue response plans for homeless or transient populations when such advisories are declared by the Camden County Office of Emergency Management. Young urged residents to check on elderly or disabled neighbors: “If you know of anyone who is elderly or disabled, please check on them to make sure they’re prepared to stay safe in these dangerous temperatures.”

Pet safety tips were provided by Commissioner Young for cold weather conditions. These include keeping pets indoors when temperatures fall below freezing and ensuring outdoor shelters are adequately warm. Pet owners should watch for signs of distress in their animals due to cold exposure and avoid leaving pets in unheated vehicles.

Additional advice included precautions against antifreeze poisoning and protecting pets' paws from ice-melting chemicals.

The Camden County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management have collaborated with municipalities to ensure adequate resources are available for severe weather situations under individual Code Blue plans. Residents seeking shelter can contact their local municipality for assistance.

In case of power outages during this period, residents should report issues directly to utility providers like PSE&G, Atlantic City Electric, or South Jersey Gas using the provided contact information.