Warming Centers will be open Monday across southern Illinois.
Williamson County Emergency Management Agency says the county will have several warming centers available for those in need of a warm place to stay during the day this week. The Creal Springs City Hall will be open from 9 am until 5 pm, Herrin City Hall will be open from 8 am to 4 pm, Pittsburg City Hall will be open 8 am to 4:30 pm, Illinois Star Centre Mall will be open from 10 am to 9 pm. Other warming centers will also be open in Carterville, Freeman Spur, and at the State Department of Human Services Office in Marion.
The state has opened more than 100 warming centers at Department of Human Services offices across Illinois to provide respite from the bitter cold. IDHS warming centers are open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centers are located in several counties throughout southern Illinois including Mt. Vernon, Benton, Murphysboro, Marion, Anna, Cairo, Harrisburg, Metropolis, Chester, Centralia, Olney, Lawrenceville and Mattoon.
The Illinois Department on Aging is also encouraging relatives and friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone. Older persons are more susceptible to the cold, so seniors should set their thermostats above 65 degrees. People who lower the thermostat to reduce heating bills risk developing hypothermia, a potentially fatal condition in which the body temperature drops dangerously low.
Also at an increased risk are older people who take certain medications, drink alcohol, lack proper nutrition and who have conditions such as arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
