Winter will be here in the blink of an eye, which means it is time to start preparing for weather changes, bad road conditions and ways to stay warm.
A downside of living in Indiana is cold temperatures, snow, ice and freezing rain are common throughout the state beginning in November and lasting all the way through March — sometimes even April. The Recorder put together a guide of money saving tips and resources so Hoosiers can be prepared for anything in the coming cold months.
“Our Department of Public Works is ready to tackle whatever comes our way — and now, as we welcome the winter season once again, it is time to start preparing for cold weather here in Indy,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement. “With seven barns housing over 18,000 tons of salt, DPW is ready to do what they always do: keep our roads clear and our residents safe, no matter the circumstances.”
Preparing your home for the winter
AES Indiana, Citizens Energy and the City of Indianapolis each features a list of cold weather tips for customers to help reduce heating costs and save money.
Setting thermostats back by at least eight degrees whenever occupants are away from the home or asleep can reduce the cost of energy bills in the winter. Every household is different, but about 70 degrees is ideal when occupants are home. Even setting the thermostat on the water heater back a few degrees can also save a few dollars in the winter.
Remember, setting the thermostat higher than needed does not actually heat the house any faster and will run the system longer than necessary.
Change or clean the furnace air filter once per month and vacuum registers and vents regularly. The buildup of dust and dirt makes the unit work harder. Regular inspections and annual tune-ups help the system work more efficiently, according to AES Indiana.
Keep furniture and curtains away from vents to prevent blocking airflow, and set ceiling fans to turn clockwise at low speed to circulate warm air down into the room inexpensively.
Properly insulating your home or apartment can provide up to 10% savings on annual energy bills, according to AES Indiana. Before cold weather sets in, remember to remove window A/C units and seal windows with caulk and weather stripping. Doors should also be sealed with weather stripping. However, do not cover attic vents, recessed light fixtures or chimneys with insulation.
Fireplace chimneys should be regularly cleaned and inspected. Turn down the heat in other areas of the home when using the fireplace, otherwise that warm air (that you are paying for) will escape up the chimney.
Every household should have a working smoke alarm and carbon dioxide alarm. The batteries should be checked every month, according to Citizens Energy.
Steer clear of space heaters, if possible. Operating them can be costly and dangerous if left unattended or near flammable furniture. And never, EVER use a natural gas oven to heat a home.
READ MORE: Winter assistance programs to help with costs this season
Weather advisories, watches and warnings
The National Weather Service breaks down winter weather into three levels of advisory: advisory, watch and warning.
A winter weather advisory is the lowest level of advisory and indicates between 3-5 inches of snow, blowing snow, freezing rain, ice or sleet are expected. Although these conditions are not usually hazardous, motorists should still practice caution on the roads.
A winter storm watch means a winter storm — heavy sleet, snow or ice, blowing snow or a combination — is expected. These conditions can threaten public safety, and motorists should consider postponing travel unless absolutely necessary. Consider carrying a winter survival kit in the vehicle.
Lastly, a winter storm warning is the highest level of advisory and indicates at least six inches of heavy or blowing snow, half an inch of sleet, ice or a combination. Travel will be difficult or impossible and may be restricted to emergency personnel only. Other motorists should refrain from driving. Prepare to stay at home for a day or two.
Other advisories to look out for include a cold weather advisory, which includes temperatures falling between -20 and -29 degrees Fahrenheit. An extreme cold watch/warning indicates temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. In these instances, motorists should pack extra clothes and blankets in addition to winter survival kits when traveling.
Staying safe during extreme cold
Prolonged exposure to cold conditions can increase the likelihood of hypothermia and frostbite.
Hypothermia is a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can reproduce it and can take place at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include numbness, extreme fatigue, shivering, slurred speech, confusion or memory loss and discolored skin, according to Mayo Clinic.
In wind chills of 16.6 degrees Fahrenheit, frostbite can set in on exposed skin within 30 minutes. Symptoms include skin discoloration, redness or pain, numbness and unusually firm or waxy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If a person’s temperature falls below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately.
During extreme cold, Hoosiers should stay indoors as much as possible and minimize travel, according to the State of Indiana website. For those who must be outside during inclement weather, make sure to bundle up in warm clothing, such as a hat, coat, earmuffs, insulated mittens or gloves, scarf or knit face mask, thick socks and closed-toe shoes or boots to limit exposure. Take frequent breaks inside or someplace well heated, drink warm, non-caffeinated beverages and eat high-calorie foods to keep energy levels up.
If traveling, keep a winter survival/emergency kit in your vehicle. These kits should include a bag of rock salt, antifreeze, jumper cables, snow shovel and ice scraper, snow boots, extra winter clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, bottled water and non-perishable food, flashlight with extra batteries and a first aid kit.
Before hitting the roads this winter, make sure to test the car’s battery, check tire pressure, antifreeze and engine fluid levels and confirm that the heater and defroster work properly.
Check on elderly friends and neighbors and do not leave animals or household pets outside without adequate shelter.
Warming shelters
Wheeler Mission is the largest provider of emergency shelter in Indianapolis and Bloomington. Its winter contingency plan allows both Wheeler Mission Center for Men, 520 E. Market St., and Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children, 3208 E. Michigan St., to take in those experiencing crisis during the winter. Check-in is 4-7 p.m.
Indy Parks Family Centers operate as warming centers during the winter and are open to the public during normal operating hours. For a full list of parks and hours of operation, visit indy.gov/activity/indy-parks-family-centers.
Horizon House, 1033 E. Washington St., will open specialty hours as a warming shelter during extreme cold temperatures. When the air temperature drops to 10 degrees Fahrenheit or below or the wind chill is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, Horizon House will allow individuals or families to use their facilities for warmth without services. For more information and center hours, contact Felix Okhifo at 317-396-6377 or felixo@horizonhouse.cc.
The list of warming shelters will be updated as more become available through the winter.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
