American Red Cross Opens Shelter at Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum

In response to power outages throughout the Fort Wayne area, the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana will open a shelter at the Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne at 4 p.m. Friday for residents who cannot shelter at home.

Residents coming to the Memorial Coliseum shelter are encouraged to bring blankets, pillows, toiletry items, games and toys for children, and any other supplies that will make their stay more enjoyable.

For those residents without power who can shelter at home, the Red Cross offers the following safety tips:

Do not use candles for lighting if your power is out. Use flashlights only.
Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods.
Use generators correctly: Portable generators should always be kept outdoors. Never operate a generator indoors, including the basement, garage, carport or near an open window. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.
Take action to prevent frozen pipes:
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Move harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
Let cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.

For more information about preparing and responding to winter weather, contact the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana (260) 484-9336 or visit NortheastIN.RedCross.org or RedCross.org.