As temperatures get colder, it is important to make a plan to stay safe during winter weather and freezing temperatures.
Plan ahead for winter weather
- Put your ice scraper and other equipment in your vehicle to handle a winter emergency.
- Put an extra pair of warm clothes, snacks, and water in your vehicle if you have a long distance to travel.
- Keep your gas tank at least 1/2 way full if you are traveling during winter weather.
- Prepare your home by insulating your home, including water pipes that are exterior to the house.
- If you use a fireplace or wood stove, be sure to clean chimneys. Install smoke detectors and change the battery as necessary.
- Bring your pets indoors. If you cannot bring them indoors make sure they have adequate shelter and unfrozen water.
- Keep devices charged in the case of a power outage.
Stay safe indoors
- Heat your home safely.
- Have extra blankets, sleeping bags, coats to help keep warm if the power goes out.
- If you are using a fireplace, be sure to your smoke detectors have new batteries in them and there is proper ventilation in the household.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture, drapes, and bedding. Make sure it is not on top of furniture and is not covered.
- Make sure you have flashlights in the case of a power outage.
- Allow heated air to get to pipes by leaving cabinet doors open and leave the sinks at a low drip to help avoid pipes freezing.
Stay safe outdoors
- Wear proper hats, gloves, boots, and coats to help keep yourself warm.
- Wear water resistant boots, pants and gloves.
- Wear layers to help stay warm and to remove if you start sweating.
- Don’t ignore shivering – that is an important bodily function to let you know you are too cold. Go inside as soon as possible to begin warming up.
There are warming centers throughout Missouri that are available for you to go to when the temperature drop. Call ahead to the business to verify hours and availability. Check the warming center map for a location near you.
Macon County Warming Centers open their doors when they see a need. Here are a few places we have confirmed will open if they can or if there is a need:
- Callao Christian Church – 119 2nd St. Callao, MO 63532, 660-768-5402
- Open through the night
- Enter through the original building doors and go through the door on the left. Go down the hallway where there are tables, chairs, bathrooms, water and heat provided
- Atlanta Christian Church – 218 Williamson St. Atlanta, MO 63530, 660-384-2008
- Bevier Baptist Church – 411 N. Macon St. Bevier, MO 63532
- Bring your own blankets, chairs, cots, air mattresses, etc.
- Crossroads Christian Church – 1816 N. Missouri St. Macon, MO 63552, 660-385-4813 or 660-498-5900 (after hours)
- Keep an eye on Crossroads Christian Church Facebook page
- Ethel Community Church – 203 E. Main St, 660-384-4212 or 660-322-2118
