Stay safe in the cold

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Cold air has settled into the area.  Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill values have been seen, especially Tuesday morning.  Here are a few reminders of how to keep you and your family safe from the cold.

Related: Cold safety for pets

YOU & YOUR FAMILY:

Be sure to dress in layers and protect and cover any exposed skin.  If you’ll be outside for any length of time, be sure to wear a hat, gloves, and a scarf.  This is especially true for the kids going out to the bus stop in the morning.  This is when temperatures and wind chills will be at their coldest.

Past weather blog post - Wind Chill Chart

YOUR HOME:

Make sure your pipes are properly insulated.  If you have pipes that run along an exterior wall, open the cabinet doors to allow in some heat.  You can also turn on the faucet just enough to allow a trickle of water.  This should prevent the pipes from freezing.  If you do have any pipes without insulation, you can wrap them up with insulating sleeves or tape.

Latest WANE weather forecast

YOUR CAR:

Make sure all fluids, especially the anti-freeze are full.  It’s also a good idea to keep a full tank of gas.  This will help ensure your car will start and help keep you warm if you were to get stranded.

Also, make sure you have an emergency kit in your car.  This includes things like a flashlight, batteries, blankets, jumper cables, a spare tire, and a first aid kit.