A list of Chicago area warming centers:

Cook County has recorded 12 weather-related deaths confirmed since Nov. 23, according to a spokesman from the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Considering typical weather conditions in Chicago, the official said, this number isn’t anything out of the ordinary.

An official at the Chicago Department of Public Health said other factors combine with cold weather to put people at risk.

“Alcohol and drugs often play a role,” said Tim Hadac. “If you look from year to year at the profile of people who died, sometimes people will be inebriated or high or you’ll have an Alzheimer’s patient who wanders away from home. Sometimes it’s crime victims.”

While the types of conditions Hadac mentioned cannot always be controlled, people like caseworker Sara Goldstein at Sarah’s Circle, a non-profit in Uptown that serves the city’s homeless women, are doing everything they can to assist those who find themselves stranded in the cold.

“We’re a drop-in center, which is really unique because there are a lot of overnight shelters that have to close during the day,” Goldstein said.

After day facilities like Sarah’s Circle close for the evening, the city finds nighttime safe havens and places to rest for those without homes.

“The city through our shelter system has approximately 5,000 shelter beds,” said Anne Sheahan, director of public information for the city’s Department of Family and Support.

“Last night, 700 of those beds went unused, which indicates that we have more than enough room and there’s really no reason for anyone to sleep on the street.”

The government is providing relief, as well, providing warming centers throughout Chicago and other areas of the state, which are areas for people to go during the day if they don’t have a home or if they don’t have heat, and the city of Chicago alone has multiple such facilities for those who need a reprieve from the biting cold, according to Sheahan.

Those who are in need or know of someone who needs shelter are urged to call 311 to be directed to an available facility.