Stay Warm, Stay Safe: Essential Space Heater Safety Tips for a Cozy Home

As the temperatures drop, many of us turn to space heaters to stay warm and cozy at home. To ensure your home and loved ones remain safe, remember to follow these crucial safety tips:

Keep a safe distance: maintain a 3-foot safety zone around all space heaters to prevent accidents.
Plug directly: always plug your heaters directly into a wall outlet, avoiding the use of extension cords or power strips.
Clear the area: keep heaters away from blankets, curtains, furniture, and any other flammable materials.
Opt for safety features: choose heaters with automatic shut-off features, especially those that turn off if they tip over.
Turn off when not in use: make it a habit to turn off your heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep.
Supervise children and pets: never leave kids or pets unattended near a space heater, as they may not understand the risks.
Inspect cords regularly: check your heater cords for damage or fraying, and if you find any, do not use the heater.

Staying warm doesn’t have to mean taking risks. By using heating equipment responsibly, we can all help keep our community safe.

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Shovel Smarter, Not Harder: Winter Safety Tips to Protect Your Heart and Back

Your Lapel Stony Creek Twp. Fire Territory wants to help you protect your heart, back, and overall health during winter weather. Before you head outside, keep these safety tips in mind:

Shovel Smart & Stay Safe
• Start with a warm-up – a few minutes of light movement can help prevent muscle strain and get you ready for the task ahead.
• Dress in layers to stay warm, but avoid overheating. Don’t forget gloves with a good grip to prevent dropping your shovel.
• Choose a proper shovel that’s lightweight and ergonomic to reduce stress on your back.
• Whenever possible, push snow instead of lifting to save your back from unnecessary strain.
• When you do need to lift, remember to lift with your legs, not your back, and take smaller loads to make the job more manageable.
• Take frequent breaks – shoveling is hard work, especially in heavy or wet snow, and exhaustion can increase your risk of injury.
• Stay hydrated, even in cold weather, to help your body function at its best.
• Listen to your body and watch for warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. If you or someone nearby experiences any of these symptoms, stop immediately and call 911.

Look out for your neighbors, especially the elderly or those who may need help clearing snow safely. Checking in on them can make a big difference in their safety and well-being.

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Stay Warm: Anderson & Madison County Warming Center Locations and Hours ❄️

️ Stay Warm in Anderson and Madison County ️
If you’re in need of a warm place to escape the cold, the following locations are open to everyone during their posted hours:

Anderson Warming Centers

  • The Christian Center: 601 Meridian St., Anderson, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
  • Man for Man Ministries: 415 Main St., Anderson, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM
  • Salvation Army: 1615 Meridian St., Anderson, Monday–Thursday, 9 AM–3 PM
  • Anderson Public Library: 111 E 12th St., Anderson, Monday–Thursday 9 AM–8 PM, Friday–Saturday 9 AM–5:30 PM, Sunday 1 PM–5 PM

Additional Madison County Warming Centers

  • Chesterfield – Mill Creek Civic Center: 403 W. Main, Tuesday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM (closed on holidays)
  • Alexandria – Bob Rogers Center: 204 S. Harrison St, Tuesday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM (closed on holidays)
  • Frankton – The Factory (Frankton Community Church): 109 S. 8th St, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM (closed on holidays), please call 765-754-7996 before visiting
  • Elwood – St. Vincent Mercy Hospital (Main Lobby): 1331 S. “A” St, open 24/7
  • Elwood – Harmony House: 1817 S. “A” St, 8 AM–5 PM, please call 765-623-5992 before visiting
  • Lapel Public Library: 610 Main St., Monday–Thursday 10 AM–7 PM, Friday 10 AM–5 PM, Saturday 12 PM–5 PM
  • Pendleton Public Library: 595 E. Water St, Monday–Thursday 9 AM–8 PM, Friday 9 AM–6 PM, Saturday 9 AM–5 PM

Share this information with others to help keep our community safe and warm ️

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Deck the Halls Safely: Essential Holiday Decorating Tips to Prevent Fires

As you start decorating for the holidays, remember to prioritize safety. Begin by inspecting your lights for frayed wires, and make it a habit to turn them off before bedtime. Additionally, keep candles at a safe distance from flammable materials to prevent any potential fires.

For more valuable decorating safety tips, visit getprepared.in.gov to ensure a joyful and secure holiday season.

#HolidaySafety #FirePrevention #GetPrepared

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Winter Storm Watch Issued for Central Indiana: 3-7 Inches of Snow Possible This Weekend

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service, effective from late Friday night through Sunday. The forecast for Saturday is still uncertain, particularly regarding temperatures and the timing of the transition from rain to snow. However, there is increasing confidence that significant accumulating snow will occur north of the I-70 corridor, especially around Lafayette, with more uncertainty near I-70 and points south.

The Winter Storm Watch covers areas where the National Weather Service is most confident that at least 3 inches of snow will fall, although some areas may ultimately receive an advisory rather than a warning. The watch includes portions of central, east central, north central, and west central Indiana, with the potential for heavy snow and total accumulations ranging from 3 to 7 inches.

The Winter Storm Watch is in effect from late Friday night through Sunday afternoon, and travel could be very difficult due to the storm. There is still uncertainty regarding snow totals, particularly across the I-70 corridor where temperatures will hover near freezing.

Madison County is included in the Winter Storm Watch, and the Madison County Highway has been advised to prepare for the storm. Crews will begin brining the roadways starting tomorrow. Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. If needed, the Madison County EOC will upgrade to active status to assist all county public safety agencies.

Residents are advised to monitor the latest forecasts for updates on the storm.

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Wishing a Joyful Thanksgiving to Our Amazing Community!

We’re grateful every day for our incredible community, and today is no exception. Your kindness, support, and trust mean everything to us, and we feel truly lucky to have you by our side.

A special thank you to our dedicated volunteers, who selflessly give their time, skills, and heart to help keep our community safe. Your tireless efforts don’t go unnoticed, and we’re so thankful for all that you do.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, warm, and joyful holiday season. May your day be filled with love, laughter, and all the things that bring you happiness

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Thanksgiving Day Fires: The Hidden Danger in Your Kitchen

On Thanksgiving Day, residential building fires show a unique pattern. Over half (54%) of these fires occur between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., coinciding with the time many people are busy preparing their Thanksgiving dinner. As the evening progresses, the number of fires tends to decline. This is in contrast to the typical pattern seen throughout the rest of the year, where residential building fires usually peak during the standard dinnertime hours of 5 to 8 p.m.

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Breaking News and Alerts from Local Authorities

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Warming Centers in Madison County: Find a Safe Haven from the Cold

MADISON COUNTY WARMING CENTERS

The Anderson Homeless Task Force has provided a list of warming centers available to those in need. The following locations are open during the specified hours:

Anderson Warming Centers

  • The Christian Center: 601 Meridian St., Anderson, IN, Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM
  • Man for Man Ministries: 415 Main St., Anderson, IN, Monday – Friday, 8AM – 4PM
  • Salvation Army: 1615 Meridian St., Anderson, IN, Monday – Thursday, 9AM – 3PM
  • Anderson Public Library: 111 E 12th St., Anderson, IN, Monday – Thursday, 9AM – 8PM, Friday – Saturday, 9AM – 5:30PM, Sunday, 1PM – 5PM

Additional communities have also made warming centers available:

  • Chesterfield: Mill Creek Civic Center, 403 W. Main, Tuesday – Friday, 8AM – 4PM (excluding holidays)
  • Alexandria: Bob Rogers Center, 204 S. Harrison St, Tuesday – Friday, 8AM – 5PM (excluding holidays)
  • Frankton: The Factory (Frankton Community Church), 109 S. 8th St, Monday – Friday, 8AM – 5PM (excluding holidays), please call first: 765-754-7996
  • Elwood:
    • St. Vincent Mercy Hospital (Main Lobby), 1331 S. “A” St., open 24 hours daily
    • Harmony House, 1817 S. “A” St., Monday – Friday, 8AM – 5PM, please call first: 765-623-5992
  • Lapel: Lapel Public Library, 610 Main Street, Monday – Thursday, 10AM – 7PM, Friday, 10AM – 5PM, Saturday, 12PM – 5PM
  • Pendleton: Pendleton Public Library, 595 E. Water St, Monday – Thursday, 9AM – 8PM, Friday, 9AM – 6PM, Saturday, 9AM – 5PM

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