Extreme Cold Safety Precautions

Citizens urged to take safety precautions in extreme cold temperatures

As all Central Indiana braces for severe cold temperatures in the forecast, the City of Indianapolis would like to remind all citizens to take proper steps to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy in extreme conditions.

"In times like this, citizens need to take care of each other as best they can," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "Extreme cold, snow and ice can be very dangerous and often times fatal. I urge people to take steps to ensure they survive the extremities unharmed, but being educated on those measures is key to staying safe and healthy this winter."

The National Weather Service expects temperatures to begin falling today and be near or below zero by late Thursday evening or Friday morning. Actual air temperature is predicted to be in the single digits and wind chill could potentially be in the -10 to -15 degree range. Officials at the Indianapolis/Marion County Emergency Management Agency will be working with public and private agencies to monitor the situation throughout the week and to address any issues which may arise.

When temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. The greatest threat posed by extreme cold is to the health and welfare of humans and animals. A secondary hazard is to infrastructure, such as water pipes, demands for electricity and the use of unsafe emergency heating devices.

Preparedness is the key to your safety:

* Please use caution and be aware of hazardous driving conditions. Leave early and don't follow the car in front of you too closely, the roads may be slick and icy in spots and it may be difficult to stop quickly.

* Listen to the weather reports, plan accordingly

* Have an emergency supply kit in your vehicle and your home; Food and water (1 gallon/person), flashlights, mobile phone, charger, spare batteries, blanket/sleeping bags, first aid supplies and a battery operated radio are all important components of a disaster kit.

* Ensure that extra blankets and heavy clothes are available for everyone in the family.

* Beware of potential fire & carbon monoxide hazards; if you are planning to use an emergency heating source such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater.

* Listen to an All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio, or local radio and television stations for the latest updates

* Keep a close eye on those who may need help; the elderly, the young and the disabled may need extra assistance during this time of extreme cold.

These tips and more are available online at www.indygov.org/ema or the National Weather Service website at www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter.

City road closure information can be obtained online at
www6.indygov.org/dpw/snow/update.htm.
State road conditions can be obtained at
www.in.gov/isp/roadinfo/weather.html
or by calling 800-582-8440.

Holiday Shopping Safety

IMPD Holiday Shopping Safety List

If You Are Shopping

* Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
* Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
* Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
* Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
* Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

Protect Your Vehicle

Loading up on all those gifts is a sign of progress in the holiday shopping. But if those packages are left out in the open after they're in the car, your car has become a likely target for thieves. Remember the old cliché "Out of sight, out of mind?" The same idea applies to items in your car.

Always lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking into an empty car isn't worth a thief's time. However, anything left in plain view – from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, cell phones or briefcases – may tempt a thief.

Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. And although it's cold, never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store – even if for only a minute or two.

Volunteer as a Park Ranger

Trailsafe Program Kickoff

The Trailsafe Program involves recruiting volunteers to monitor a 1-2 mile section of the trail and report any maintenance issues, unsafe conditions, graffiti, etc, that they notice while using the trail. We are hoping to cover as much of the 6.9 miles of trail along Pleasant Run Parkway as we can with people that frequent the trail often. The trail stretches from Garfield Park to Ellenberger Park, with a large portion of it running through our neighborhoods.

Please email your interest to Annie Brown (ABROWN@indygov.org). They will collect information which will be used by the Rangers to do a background check (standard for Indy Parks Volunteers) which is why they need to collect the identifying information. They are looking to gather the volunteers by month-end and people will be contacted at that time. They will begin scheduling training sessions at that time as well. This is very exciting and goes a long way towards our goal of making the Pleasant Run Trail a great neighborhood asset.

Sincerely,

Jeff Miller, Chairperson
Public Space Committee

KIB fall neighborhood trainings

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful's fall neighborhood trainings are underway.

Neighborhood Security Profile Training

Tuesday, September 30th
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join KIB and retired officer Kevin Kinnee to learn about crime patterns and recognize the physical factors on your block that will help or hinder crime prevention and safety for your residents! By the end of the training, you will be equipped to do a security profile of your own block so you can work with your neighbors to improve your block’s safety.

The training will include some classroom teaching, as well as a walk to a nearby residential block for Mr. Kinnee to demonstrate conducting a hands-on security profile. We have room for about 15-20 more folks, so please sign up today!

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP to sgrain@kibi.org or 264-7555 x106 by this Friday, September 26th.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful's mission is to unite people to beautify the city, improve the environment, and foster pride in the community. Visit us on the web at www.kibi.org!

Celebrate Safe Communities

Celebrate Safe Communities

Greetings!

We are now just weeks away from the special launch of Celebrate Safe Communities, October 2-4, 2008. NCPC would be delighted to have you participate!

Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC), was launched this year as a partnership of NCPC, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. CSC is designed to highlight and bring attention to Crime Prevention Month (October) through activities and events which educate and mobilize residents in partnership with law enforcement. NCPC hosts a registration and information website for the initiative,

www.celebratesafecommunities.org

and is talking with countless communities and law enforcement agencies about their plans. Please visit the website and check out the FAQ which should address most of your questions.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 202-261-4145/dboone@ncpc.org. Join us and celebrate your successes in keeping your communities safe year‐round! Thank you.

Best regards,

Deborah Boone
Program Assistant, Community Outreach
National Crime Prevention Council
2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202‐4816