Snow Continues To Fall In Will County: Safety Tips

WILL COUNTY, IL — With snow expected to continue falling off and on throughout the day, and temperatures falling to dangerous levels across much of the area, the American Red Cross has shared some safety tips for Will County residents.

When you're out in the cold, the rescue and relief agency says to:

• Be aware of the wind chill. Avoid staying in the cold too long.
• Wear layers of clothing to stay warm, along with a hat, mittens and waterproof, insulated boots to keep feet warm and dry. Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold.
• Be careful when tackling strenuous tasks like shoveling snow in cold temperatures. Take frequent breaks from the cold.
• Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Get out of the cold immediately if the signs of hypothermia and frostbite appear.
• Check on your neighbors, especially elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

While at home:

• Bring family pets indoors. If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
• Prevent frozen pipes. Open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around water pipes. Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes.
• Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home. Keep a glass or metal fire screen around the fireplace and never leave a fireplace fire unattended.
• If using a space heater, place it on a level, hard, nonflammable surface. Turn the space heater off when leaving the room or going to sleep. Keep children and pets away from the space heater and do not use it to dry wet clothing.
• If the power goes out, use generators correctly. Never operate a generator inside the home, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to the home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment needed directly to the outlets on the generator.

And, finally, if you have to venture out on the roads:

• Don't. Stay off the roads if at all possible.
• Carry an emergency preparedness kit in the trunk.
• Keep the car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways.
• Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
• Don’t pass snow plows.
• Know that ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways.

Warming centers are available throughout Will County. Here are just a few:

• Catholic Charities - Daybreak Center, 611 E. Cass St., Joliet - 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.; call 815-774-4660
• Bolingbrook Fire Station #5, 1900 Rodeo Dr. - 24/7 hours; call ahead at 630-226-8505
• Bolingbrook Fire Station #4, 1111 W. Boughton Road - 24/7 hours; call ahead at 630-226-8670
• New Lenox Police Department, 200 Veterans Parkway - by request only; call 815-468-6128
• New Lenox Police Department, 120 Veterans Parkway - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday; call 815-485-2605 x 101
• Plainfield Police Department, 14300 S. Coil Plus Drive - by request only; call 815-436-2341
• Romeoville Recreation Center, 900 West Romeo Road - open 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Romeoville Fire Station No. 3, 698 Birch Drive. - open after 9:30 p.m.
• MorningStar Mission 350 E. Washington St., Joliet - open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call 815-722-5780
• White Oak Library District - Romeoville Branch, 201 W. Normantown Road - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call 815-552-4225
• Troy Township Community Center, 25448 W Seil Road - by request only; call 815-922-4401
• Shorewood Village Hall, 1 Towne Center Boulevard - 24/7; call 815-725-4696
• Shorewood Police Department, 903 W. Jefferson St. - 24/7; 815-725-4636

(Find the full list here, but be sure to call ahead before you go.)

And, finally, if you're just looking for a great place to sled, we've got you covered there too. Here are the best places for sledding and outdoor winter fun in Illinois.

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