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Winter Safety Tips
Things to Do / Health / Fitness / Environment
Pet Safety Tips for the Winter
Resources for those in Need
Volunteer to Help Those in Need
The Coalition for the Homeless is an advocate for people who are homeless and for the prevention and elimination of homelessness. Visit their website to learn more and volunteer to help. Their Operation White Flag program is in effect when winter temperatures or wind chill is 35 degrees or lower.
The emergency homeless shelters that participate in Operation White Flag are:
- Society of St. Vincent dePaul (men only)
- The Healing Place for Men
- The Healing Place for Women
- The Salvation Army
- Volunteers of America (men only)
- Wayside Christian Mission
- Interlink
These shelters operate for the homeless and may offer shelter above their capacity during white flag.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Crisis Phase
The Louisville Metro Community Action’s LIHEAP Crisis Program provides utility assistance to low-income residents with past due or disconnection notices from their utility service provider, or who are currently without utility services. This program operates from January 4, 2010 through March 31, 2010 or until funds are exhausted. Get all the information here.
Heater Assistance Program
The Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership’s Heating Program provides heaters to eligible persons who have lost heat in their home due to furnace malfunctions. The program operates from November through March. Interested applicants can call or visit one of the locations listed below for more information:
- CAP Central District
810 Barret Avenue (Urban Government Center)
Phone: 574-1157
- CAP East District
4810 Exeter Ave (Newburg Community Center)
574-1270
- CAP South District
7219 Dixie Highway (Southwest Government Center)
574-1272
For more information click here:
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/CAP/Winter+Heaters.htm
Louisville Metro Housing & Community Development Department
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Louisville Metro Housing & Community Development Department’s Weatherization Assistance Program performs energy-related repairs to low-income homeowners/renters who reside in the Louisville Metro area. Through this program, repairs will be made which will make the home more energy efficient, thus reducing fuel bills. These repairs consist of the following:
• Repair/replacement of furnace and/or water heater
• Check for carbon monoxide and gas leaks
• Installation of smoke detector(s) and carbon monoxide detector(s)
• Repair/replacement of missing or damaged ductwork
• Repair/replace venting
• Installation of insulation to attic, walls and floor (funds permitting)
• Air sealing work (i.e., caulking, weather-strip, repair windows and doors, drywall and floor repair, etc.
Funding is provided by Kentucky Housing Corporation and supplemented with Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG).
Winter Safety
Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety
Safety tips from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, including tips on indoor and outdoor safety and cold-weather health emergencies. More.
Hypothermia: A Cold Weather Hazard for Seniors
Almost everyone knows about winter dangers such as broken bones from falls on the ice. But cold weather also can cause an important, less obvious danger that affects many older Americans. Learn more from the
National Institute on Aging website.
Interactive Snow Removal Center
Map and View Which Roads are Cleared Near You! The Louisville Jefferson County Information Consortium (LOJIC) and Metro Public Works have created an interactive snow routes map. It allows you to enter an address to see the routes around you that will be cleared during a snow or ice event.
See it: http://www.lojic.org/snow/viewer.htm
Snow Removal Information for Residents & Businesses
(Taken from the Metro Ordinance Number 195, page 40.
See it (823MB PDF file)
(A) It shall be the duty of all persons and corporations owning or occupying property abutting a public street in Louisville metro to remove within 24 hours thereafter such snow as may fall on the sidewalks in front of their property. Where the property is unimproved or unoccupied this duty shall devolve on the owner or the agent for the property. Where property is occupied by others than owners thereof, this duty shall devolve on the owner or the tenants and either may be proceeded against for the violation.
(B) Snow when removed from the sidewalk shall be placed either on private property or in the public driveway at a distance not less than 12 inches from the curbing of the sidewalk. However, in no event shall the snow be so placed as to obstruct the free passage of water in the gutter or in the direction of any sewer or catch basin.
Winter Home Safety
Louisville Fire provides winter fire safety information on their website to prevent incidents in fireplaces, furnaces and wood-burning stoves. Learn important safety tips here.
Things to Do / Health / Fitness / Environment
Metro Arts Center
The Metro Arts Center at 8360 Dixie Highway (map it), offers classes for children and adults in the fine and applied arts. If you're looking to acquire or refine a particular artistic skill – from guitar playing and cartooning to pottery and silversmithing – the Metro Arts Center has a fun, affordable class for you. And new classes begin in January!
Download Winter Metro Arts Center schedule.
Louisville Free Public Library
With 17 locations throughout Louisville Metro, the Louisville Free Public Libraries (LFPL) are your neighborhood learning centers, offering computer and GED classes, exhibits and programs for kids and adults and Internet access at every branch. And many branches now offer CDs and DVD to check out. Don't let your brain freeze this winter - connect to www.lfpl.org today.
Louisville Science Center
There's always something going on at the Louisville Science Center, and this winter is no exception. Visit their site to plan a visit, whether you're taking the family to an IMAX movie or checking out their new exhibit on the Titanic! Go.
Metro Parks Sports Leagues
Winter 2009-10 adult basketball leagues are forming now. You can sign up until December 30 with league play beginning Janary 4, 2010. Find registration information here. The games will take place at Cyril Allgeier Community Center.
Sledding
For thousands of local children, sledding is one of the highlights of the winter season. Metro Parks will open seven sledding hills whenever there is significant snow accumulation (at least 2-3 inches). Get the where, when and how.
Jefferson Memorial Forest Has it All
Jefferson Memorial Forest is America's largest municipal urban forest and seems to be adding more and more acreage every year. Visit their website to learn how you can join in their winter activities from winter hikes to improving your bird watching & identification skills.
Can you identify the bird on your right? (Hover your mouse over the image for the answer.)
Get Fit with the Help of the Louisville
Metro Health Department
Fitness is just a click away this winter -
from losing weight and eating right to
wellness training and charity runs - stop by the Mayor's Healthy Hometown Movement website. Go.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness offers a number of wellness classes and resources. Visit them online now to learn more.
Breath of Fresh Air Tip of the Month
Every month, the Air Pollution Control District puts out a new tip to help save the air and save energy. This holiday season it's on energy-saving LED holiday lights.
Find out more!
Ice Skating Venues
JCPS/YMCA After School Programs
Get the kids moving this wnter with the YMCA School-Age Child Care and the Childcare Enrichment Program. They offer a variety of options for children ages 5 - 14 during winter break. Registration is now open. Visit the YMCA online.
Energy Star
The gift of energy efficiency through the holidays and all winter long
During the holidays, ENERGY STAR will help you deck the halls with ideas for energy-saving gifts and appliances, and even info on how to save energy and $$$ with holiday lighting. ENERGY STAR can also help you learn about improving your home’s energy efficiency so you will stay warm during the cold winter months. Of particular interest is a Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Louisville promotes energy efficiency as an important method of not only saving on your energy costs but also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pets and the Cold
With the onset of cold weather, Metro Animal Services (MAS) has seen a significant increase in service requests concerning animals residing outdoors. MAS is urging pet owners to take a few common sense precautions to safe guard their pets against the recent consistently bitter cold temperatures. Learn more.