WARMING SHELTER will open @ Riley Park Sun, Mon, Tue & Wed, Feb. 16, 17, 18 & 19th, due to cold weather. 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2025
City of East Chicago Fire Department / Emergency Management
WARMING SHELTER OPEN
East Chicago — The City of East Chicago Fire Department / Emergency Management advises that due to the extreme cold weather, Riley Hall, located at Riley Park (1005 E. Chicago Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana), will be designated as a “Warming Shelter.”
Riley Hall will be open as a warming center from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2025, due to inclement weather.
Add the following supplies to your emergency kit:
- Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at https://www.epa.gov/snep/winter-coming-and-it-tons-salt-our-roads for recommendations.
- Sand to improve traction.
- Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
- Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home, and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.
- Create a Family Communications Plan. Your family may be separated during a disaster, so it’s important to know how to contact one another, how to reunite, and what to do in an emergency.
- Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS). Be alert to changing weather conditions.
- Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
- Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
- Stay indoors during the storm.
- Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways.
- Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can cause heart attacks—a major cause of winter deaths. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.
- Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
- Watch for signs of frostbite, such as loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities (fingers, toes, earlobes, nose tip). Seek medical help immediately if symptoms are detected.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia, such as uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, or exhaustion. If detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the body center first, and provide warm non-alcoholic beverages if conscious. Seek medical help as soon as possible.
- Drive only if absolutely necessary. If driving:
- Travel during the day and avoid traveling alone.
- Inform others of your schedule.
- Stick to main roads and avoid shortcuts.
- Let someone know your destination, route, and expected arrival time. If your car gets stuck, this ensures help can follow your predetermined route.
- If pipes freeze, remove insulation or newspaper layers and wrap pipes in rags. Open all faucets and pour hot water over pipes, starting where they are most exposed.
- Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to prevent toxic fumes. Refuel heaters outside and keep them at least three feet away from flammable objects.
- Conserve fuel by keeping your residence cooler and temporarily closing off unneeded rooms.
- If leaving your home during cold weather, keep the heat set to no lower than 55°F.
- Continue to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers. Stay indoors if possible.
Steve Segura
400 E. Chicago Avenue
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8206
ssegura@eastchicago.com
For more information about the City of East Chicago, visit:
www.eastchicago.com
Address/Location
City of East Chicago - ECTV
4525 Indianapolis Blvd
East Chicago, IN 46312
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 219-391-8206
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP ECALERTS followed by your message, to 888777