WARMING CENTERS
Warming centers are heated public facilities where any resident can go to during periods of extreme cold temperatures to stay warm and safe. The following facilities have been designated as an area “warming center” for those who need temporary relief from the cold.
*NOTE: COVID-19 restrictions may affect the availability of some of these centers.
To locate a Warming Center, call the DeKalb Fire Department at 815-748-8460 on Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM
DeKalb Park District
Hopkins Park Community Center
1403 Sycamore Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-758-6663
DeKalb Public Library
309 Oak Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 756-9568
DeKalb Salvation Army
830 Grove St
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-756-4308
Christ Community Church
2350 Pride Ave.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-787-6161
Hope Haven Homeless Shelter
1145 Rushmoore Dr
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-5765
Open 24/7
*Hope Haven encourages the community to call them if you see a homeless person, especially during the cold winter months. They follow up on every report to offer their services.
The DeKalb Oasis
2700 N Crego Rd, DeKalb
Open 24/7
DeKalb Senior Center
330 Grove Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-4718
*2/9/21 update: The DeKalb Seniors is not serving as a registered warming center at this time
Sycamore Police Department
535 DeKalb Avenue
Sycamore, Il 60178
(815) 895-2123
Open 24/7
Sycamore Public Library
103 E. State Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 895-2500
*2/9/21 update: The Sycamore Library is currently operating in limited capacity and is not serving as a registered warming center at this time
Illinois Department of Human Services
1629 Afton Rd, Sycamore
Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 5 pm
(815) 895-8667
*2/9/21 update: The DHS Family Community Resource Center is not serving as a registered warming center at this time
Sandwich Public Library
925 S Main Street
Sandwich, IL 60548
(815) 786-8308
*2/9/21 update: The Sandwich Library is currently operating in limited capacity and is not serving as a registered warming center at this time
To request a Well-Being Check for someone who may be suffering due to extreme weather call 815-748-8400 (24 hours/day, 365 days/year)
To report inadequate heat in a residential building call 815-748-2070 (Mondays 8:00AM-5:00PM, Tuesdays-Fridays 7:30AM-4:30PM) or 815-739-0745 (After hours)
To access free cold weather apparel, visit the Paw Lickin Good Community Closet in Sycamore’s Hy-Vee Shopping Center. The closet is available 24/7 for anyone to drop off winter weather clothing and accessories or to take what you need.
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
Check on elderly family and neighbors
In addition, all residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and family members to ensure they are safe and as comfortable as possible. If anyone needs urgent medical treatment, contact 911 immediately.
During the winter months, try to keep your automobiles full of fuel
A full fuel tank helps to reduce the chance of getting any moisture from a vehicle fuel tank into the vehicles fuel lines. Also, if your vehicle is stranded due to slippery conditions, a fuller fuel tank may provide your vehicle a longer period to provide warmth to the occupants until they are assisted.
When outside, dress appropriately and maintain personal awareness
- Wear loose fitting, lightweight layered clothing. Layers can be removed if perspiration and subsequent chills become a problem.
- Wear a hat, half of body heat is lost through the top of the head.
- Keep your feet dry, wool socks are best if you are going to be out in the cold.
- Cover your mouth and nose with scarves to help protect your lungs from cold air.
- If you become stranded, stay dry and cover all exposed body parts.
- Avoid overexertion, for example when shoveling snow. Do not ignore chest pain or tightness in your chest.
- Watch for signs of frostbite such as numbness or white pale appearance to the skin.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia such as slurred speech, memory loss, uncontrollable shivering, disorientation and exhaustion.
- Seek medical attention for chest pain, frostbite or hypothermia as soon as possible.
WINTERIZING YOUR HOME
Make sure your home is ready for another Midwest winter with these Fall Home Maintenance Tips from Blain’s Farm & Fleet:
- Check and Seal All of Your Windows and Doors – A sturdy, tight window or door lock is key to keeping the frame pressed tightly into the window sill or door jamb. This tight seal will keep warm air from escaping and will help save you money on your heating bill. Look for air leaks around your windows and doors. If you need to insulate them, Blain’s Farm & Fleet recommends the 3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit. Also, make sure thecaulking around your doors and windows is sufficient to reduce the heat loss that occurs during winter.
- Inspect Your Home for Water Leaks -Check all the faucets, appliances and pipes for any leaks. (Helpful tip: leave a paper towel around the outside of your dishwasher while it’s in use to see if there are any leaks)
- Protect your Home’s Plumbing and Electrical System from Cold Weather – A key part of winterizing your home is making sure your plumbing doesn’t freeze. Exposed pipes are most vulnerable to freezing. Your pipes should be well insulated with Polyethylene Tube Pipe Insulation or heat tape to keep them warm. You can protect your outdoor faucets with an M-D Outdoor Faucet Cover. These two steps only take a few minutes of your time and will save you from dealing with a busted pipe from the cold temperature.
- Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Heating System – The most important factor when winterizing your home is making sure your house is warm, safe and ready for the winter ahead. Make sure you have your heating system checked, and replace your furnace filter to allow the system to work most efficiently. Inspect and clean any dust from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Change batteries if necessary.
Winterizing your home properly can help prevent you from dealing with any unexpected and inconvenient disasters down the road.
Prepare for possible isolation in your home for several days. Prepare an emergency supply for your home and include the following:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
- Have emergency heating equipment available so that you can keep one room of your house warm to be livable. Always ensure proper ventilation.
- Create a household family disaster kit for emergencies. For ideas visit website: http://www.illinois.gov/ready
Prepare at winter kit for your vehicle(s) include the following:
- shovel
- windshield scraper and small broom
- flashlight
- battery powered radio
- extra batteries
- water
- snack food
- matches
- extra hats, socks and mittens
- first aid kit with pocket knife
- necessary medications
- blanket(s)
- tow chain or rope
- road salt and sand
- booster cables
- emergency flares
- fluorescent distress flag
- For additional ideas visit website: http://www.ready.gov/car
Additional preparedness information is available from FEMA at the following link: http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
KEEPING PETS SAFE IN EXTREME COLD
• Limit their time outside. Dogs, like humans, can experience hypothermia and frostbite, especially on earflaps and the tips of their tails.
• Take age, breed, coat and other factors into account. Pets with short hair — or short legs — get cold faster. Dogs with certain medical conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease, have more trouble with extreme temperatures, as do very young or elderly pets.
• Bundle them up. If your pet is uncomfortable in the cold, consider a sweater or dog coat. And if you try boots, make sure they fit properly.
• Keep your dog on a leash and avoid ice and frozen ponds.
• Be alert for signs of trouble — anxiety, weakness, whining or looking for a place to burrow could be signs of hypothermia. Get pets inside, and contact your vet if you suspect hypothermia or frostbite.
• Wipe their paws, feet, legs and bellies when they come in. This not only helps remove ice and snow, but cleans off chemicals such as de-icers that can be toxic. Monitor their paws for injuries and ice between their toes. Keep the fur on their feet trimmed to prevent ice balls between toes and pads.
• Don’t leave pets unattended in cars.