With temperatures forecast to dip well below freezing, Baltimore City’s health commissioner has declared a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert from Tuesday through Thursday.Interim Health Commissioner Mary Beth Haller has issued the alert Monday, as wind chills are forecasted to remain in the teens through Thursday morning.Extreme cold conditions can present significant risks to residents’ health, including frostbite, hypothermia, other cold-related injuries, and even death.“As we continue to experience periods of extreme cold weather, we will continue our work to protect residents in need,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said in a statement. “Please take heed of the impending cold, check on neighbors and friends, and access the resources made available by our agencies and partners.” Baltimore City declared its first Code Blue Extreme Cold alert of the season in December.Last week, Maryland saw its first major snowfalls of the new year. The Baltimore region has a chance of flurries Tuesday night.City agencies will provide shelter and assistance to those in need during the extreme cold alert.Throughout the extreme cold season, agencies are also distributing meals to at-risk older adults, weatherizing homes, helping individuals with energy assistance applications, and providing cold weather education and outreach.“During these dangerously low temperatures, it’s important we remain indoors as much as possible and I urge everyone to check on their neighbors – especially our most vulnerable residents said,” Haller said in a statement. “We want everyone to be protected during these harsh weather conditions.” Haller began serving in the interim role after the city fired former health commissioner Ihuoma Emenuga amid a criminal investigation. State prosecutors have since cleared Emenuga of wrongdoing.To stay safe and healthy during cold weather, city officials advise residents to wear layered, loose-fitting clothing; wear a hat, scarf, or other head covering when outdoors; drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids, while avoiding alcoholic beverages; walk slowly and avoid steps or curbs with ice.Officials also advise checking on households with infants, children, older adults, chronically ill individuals, and other vulnerable residents.Pets who are outdoors should be kept in a well-constructed, dry, draft-free, raised shelter. The shelter should have sufficient bedding; a door flap; and fresh, unfrozen, drinkable water.Other recommendations from city officials include keeping space heaters and candles away from flammable materials; checking carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working; do not use stoves, generators, and other prohibited heat or power sources inside your home due to risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning; and do not leave your car running in a garage or other closed space. Here are a few helpful phone numbers and websites:Baltimore City Shelter Hotline, 443-984-9540, for individual adults, couples, and families in need of emergency shelter Energy Assistance Program, 410-396-5555, for information on energy assistance Maryland Access Point, 410-396-CARE (2273), for older residents or caregivers in need of assistance with completing and mailing energy assistance applications Weatherization Assistance Program, 410-396-3023, for information about installing energy conservation materials and products in your to reduce household energy expensesFor other cold-related inquiries and service requests, or to find a nearby homeless shelter, residents can call 311 or 211. Residents can also visit the Baltimore City Health Department’s website for more information about the city’s Code Blue Extreme Cold Plan.So far this Code Blue Extreme Cold Season, The Maryland Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has reported 3 cold-related deaths in Baltimore City.