On February 10, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Round-the-clock duty has been organised in boarding houses in the Vitebsk region in connection with severe frosts, as reported to BELTA by Galina Demchenko, Deputy Head of the Social Support for the Population Department of the Committee for Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. With the deterioration of weather conditions, a set of measures is being implemented in organisations of the social protection system to ensure safe living conditions for citizens. Thus, uninterrupted operation of heating, water supply, power and gas supply systems has been ensured in boarding houses in the region. Upon the request of residents, additional blankets and warm clothing are being provided. For safety purposes, control over the condition of attics and basements, and the temperature regime in residential premises has been strengthened in institutions. Brigades have been formed to eliminate possible emergency situations, and their round-the-clock duty and interaction with the emergency services of settlements have been organised. Increased attention is paid to the observance of labour discipline and fire safety rules by employees, and to the observance of internal regulations by residents of boarding institutions. Significant work is being carried out by social service employees in cooperation with representatives of the police and public organisations to provide assistance to homeless individuals. They are assisted in being admitted to healthcare facilities for treatment or social beds, round-the-clock stay departments for the elderly and disabled, boarding houses, and temporary accommodation centres. Measures are also being taken to provide them with hot tea and food, and warm clothing, including with the involvement of gratuitous assistance from citizens and organisations. Elderly citizens who are single or live alone are under the supervision of social workers. Before winter, all individuals in this category who wished to spend the winter period in day care departments were placed in these institutions. Others were provided with support in securing firewood. Currently, taking into account the low temperatures, the number of home visits to elderly residents of the region has been increased, including on weekends, to maintain their supply of food and hot meals, the temperature regime in residential premises, and also to monitor the condition of stoves and prevent overheating.