SARASOTA COUNTY — The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for Saturday, Dec. 22, from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday morning, prompting local emergency management officials to open shelters for a second night, including one in North Port. Temperatures are expected to drop once again to between 32 degrees and 36 degrees. “The community should prepare for another night of colder than usual conditions by taking precautions to protect their homes, families and pets,” said Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane.

Sarasota and Charlotte County Emergency Management have coordinated with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to provide cold weather sheltering for those in need. The following shelters will be open: New Hope Community Church, 5600 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port; Center of Hope, 1216 E. Venice Ave., Venice; and the Salvation Army-Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota. Cover plants and bring pets indoors during the cold weather. Citizens 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 citizens to use caution when heating their homes because the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices. “Never use propane or gas heaters indoors and be sure that electric space heaters are free from obstructions and are not located where they can be knocked over by children or pets,” said McCrane. “Never leave a lighted candle unattended, and always keep all flammable objects away from any heating devices.”