Warming Centers Open In Kendall County As Wind Chills Drop

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — With dangerous temperatures expected across the region Thursday night, the Kendall County Health Department has announced several warming centers in case you find yourself without power or a warm place to go.

Here's a list (hours vary, so call ahead):

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

The National Weather Service says wind chills may fall to 20 or 30 degrees below zero Thursday night, with wind gusts up to 35 mph possible. Light snow will also complicate travel conditions.

Such low temperatures can cause rapid onset of frost bite and hypothermia. Signs of frostbite include redness, pain, waxy skin and numbness. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness in adults. Signs in infants include bright red skin, cold skin and lethargy.

Officials say to be a good neighbor by checking in on the elderly.

Also, be wary of freezing pipes in your home and consider opening the doors to any vanities or cabinets that have pipes on an outside wall, or keeping a trickle of water running to prevent pipes from freezing or busting.

Health officials also say to keep your vehicle full of gas in case you need to travel. Keep your cell phone charged, carry a charger and make sure a family member or trusted friend knows where you're going if you need to travel. You should also have a winter weather kit with:

• blankets or sleeping bags
• flashlight with extra batteries
• first aid kit
• water
• food
• extra clothing
• took kit
• shovel
• battery booster cables
• compass
• sand or cat litter for traction
• road maps

If you need to shovel snow, be aware the risk of heart attack goes up significantly. To avoid stressing your heart, or just hurting your back, follow these safety tips:

• Dress in layers
• Take frequent breaks
• Use a smaller shovel
• Avoid large meals before and after
• HYDRATE (water/juice...NOT ALCOHOL)
• Check on your family and neighbors while they shovel
• Shovel driveway aprons only after the roadway is completely cleared. This will eliminate the need to shovel them more than once.

In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Image via Shutterstock