Snow Continues To Fall In Kendall County: Safety Tips

KENDALL 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 Kendall 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:

Beecher Community Center, 630-553-5777
908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville

Senior Service Associates, 630-553-5777
908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville

Caring Hands Thrift Shop, 630-553-1847 (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. & Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
1002 S. Bridge Street, Yorkville

Fox Valley Family Y.M.C.A., 630-552-4100
3875 Eldamain Road, Plano

Grace Community Church, 630-553-0700
Rt. 126 & Mill Road, Yorkville

Heritage Woods of Yorkville, 630-882-6502
242 Greenbriar Road, Yorkville

Kendall County Health Department, 630-553-9100
811 W. John Street, Yorkville

Kendall County Public Safety Center, 630-553-7500 (24 hour availability)
1102 Cornell Road, Yorkville

Newark Fire Barn, 815-695-5147
101 E. Main Street, Newark

Oswegoland Park District, 630-554-1010

• South Point Location, 810 Preston Lane, Oswego
• Boulder Point Location, 0 Boulder Hill Pass (corner of Boulder Hill Pass & Rt. 25), Montgomery
• Prairie Point, 313 E. Washington Street (corner of Plainfield & Grove Rds.), Oswego
• Civic Center, 5 Ashlawn Avenue, Montgomery

Oswego Police Department, 630-551-7300 (24 hour availability)
3525 Route 34, Oswego

Oswego Public Library District, 630-554-3150 (For hours, see: http://www.oswego.lib.il.us)

• 1111 Reading Dr., Montgomery
• 32 W. Jefferson St., Oswego

Oswego Senior Center, 630-554-5602 (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
156 E. Washington Street, Oswego

Oswego Village Hall, 630-554-3287
100 Parkers Mill (Intersection of Rt. 31 & 34)

Plainfield Police Department, 815-436-2341 (Walk-in or Call is acceptable)
14300 S. Coil Plus Drive, Plainfield

Plano Police Department, 630-552-3122 (24 hour availability)
111 East Main Street, Plano

Plano Community Library, 630-552-2009 (For hours, see: http://www.plano.lib.il.us)
15 W. North Street, Plano

Plano Walmart Supercenter, 630-552-1580 (24 hour availability)
6800 West Route 34, Plano

Yorkville Public Library, 630-553-4354 (For hours, see: http://www.yorkville.lib.il.us)
902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville

(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.

Image via Shutterstock