Cold weather shelters will be open in Sarasota and North Port this weekend

The Salvation Army – Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota will conduct their cold weather operation plan on Friday, Dec. 23, Saturday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 25 with intake beginning at 4:40 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Breakfast will be served at 5:30 a.m.

100 Church, 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port (near Blue Tequila restaurant) will open a cold weather shelter Friday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 25, beginning at 5 p.m. each evening.

Emergency Management officials remind residents that pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. Those who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind.

Fire officials advise using caution when heating your home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increase during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices, so extreme caution is advised. Find more heating safety tips here: https://loom.ly/HyA6RU8