TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Terre Haute Fire Department shared some safety tips on how you can keep yourself and the community safe during the cold weather.
THFD Public Information Officer Captain Nick Arnold says that people need to be mindful when using alternate methods to heat their homes.
“With the upcoming cold temperatures, never use a stove or an oven to heat your home,” Arnold said. “If you decide to use a space heater, make sure you plug in directly into the wall, do not use a power strip. Do not overload outlets and make sure to keep combustibles at least three feet away from those space heaters or fireplaces.”
Arnold says that the public can do their part in snowy conditions to help response times for firefighters if they live near a fire hydrant.
“Ideally, if you are able to, clear a path three feet in each direction of the fire hydrant,” Arnold said. “Unfortunately, sometimes although our street department has done a great job plowing the roads, sometimes that spray from the snow does cover the fire hydrant. Obviously in an emergency, every second counts and we want to make sure that we are able to locate that fire hydrant as quickly as possible.”
Arnold says it is important to look out for one another during this time, especially if you have neighbors who are elderly or disabled.
“If you have the opportunity and you are able, maybe shovel their driveway for them,” Arnold said. “Maybe shovel their sidewalk for them, get their mail for them, just check in on them. We’re a wonderful community here, and we just want to make sure everyone stays safe during this cold spell.”
THFD reminds the public that the City of Terre Haute keeps an updated list of warming centers on their Facebook page.
