INDIANAPOLIS — While we all want to stay inside the next couple of days, many in central Indiana are required to work outside.
The Indianapolis Fire Department says while they train for all kinds of weather, it's much harder to work in the cold weather.
"In this kind of weather, we have specific things for the crews to do for safety on scene and to make sure everyone has enough resources on scene," Battalion Chief Rita Reith said.
Some of those resources are extra food, water, dry clothes and gear. Crews also have to prepare the truck ahead of time to make sure water doesn't freeze in the tank.
"Another thing we have to be mindful of is all the water thrown on scene makes the conditions really slick for crews," Reith said.
IFD works with city departments like the Department of Public Works to make scenes safer.
"They will lay sand in our workspace so crews don't fall," Reith said. "They are carrying around ladders, tools and heavy things, and if they fall and get injured, that would not be good."
When it starts to get below freezing, IFD typically gets more calls about electrical fires. That's why they encourage people to heat their homes safely. The first thing is to use blankets to stay warm. If you need to use a space heater, make sure it is three feet away from anything that can catch fire.
Also, do not plug too many things into an extension cord. If you are turning on heat for the first time, make sure your ventilation system and chimney is cleaned.
"It is not a bother to respond to these runs and assist where we can," Reith said.
IFD also encourages everyone to check on neighbors to make sure their homes are safely heated.