Putnam County residents encouraged to prepare for below-zero temperatures

As temperatures are forecast to dip below zero for the first time this season, fire officials and business owners offer advice to residents coping with the frigid temperatures.

Wind chill numbers are expected to drop as far as 30 degrees below zero, and winter is beginning to tighten its grip.

Dave Vontress of Dave's Heating and Cooling, located in Greencastle at 124 North Jackson St., encourages residents not to lower their thermostats as temperatures dip below zero.

"Honestly, the more the furnace works, the better it works," he said. "Once it's cold and they run, they're usually good unless there's a mechanical problem."

It's harder for them to start and stop, Vontress added.

Dave's recommends residents change their furnace filters as directed to keep their houses warm and furnaces running well.

Some residents, however, are without central heat, or resort to alternative methods to keep their homes more pleasant.

"Space heaters are a huge concern for firefighters," Greencastle Fire Safety Prevention Officer Christy Glass said. Herself a parent, she encourages adults to watch their kids and pets more closely.

"Kids will play and run around," she said. "You have to be cautious and careful."

Glass said space heaters could burn children and pets, as well as easily tipping over.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 79 percent of all fatal home-heating fires involve a space heater. Glass wants to avoid that. She suggests residents purchase electric models and stop relying upon older kerosene heaters.

Walmart has several models, starting under $30, with safety features that shut the model down if it tips over. Glass encourages people to look for these types of heaters with more advanced safety features.

"A lot of times accidents will happen and homes will burn," she said.

However, electric heaters still carry a risk. Glass encourages people to keep 3 feet of clearance around each side and to plug the models into the wall outlet directly. Extension cords increase the risk for fire, Glass said.

"The best place for people to be is inside," she said.

When people have to venture out, Jerry Hecko, owner of Jerry's Foreign Auto Service located at 9 E. Franklin St., encourages them to check their car batteries, make sure their gas tanks are full, check the air in their tires and let their cars run before they start a trip.

"The cars don't like the winter either," Hecko said. "They're just like us. Before you finish your coffee go out and start your car, turn the heat on high, and put the defrost on."

Hecko considers the most important part of the car when it gets cold is the battery.

"If it's slow (to turn the engine over) then you need to be looking at getting a new one." He said. "You get what you pay for, you'd be better off to buy a good one to start with."

Perhaps the simplest advice can be the best.

"The best thing for people to do is get everything done before the weather hits. So that way they can stay home and be safe and stay out of this cold weather," Glass said.