City of Dubuque to Activate Warming Centers Saturday and Sunday

Saturday, Dec. 13:

• Carnegie-Stout Public Library, 360 W. 11th St. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Dubuque Intermodal Transportation Center, 950 Elm St. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Dubuque Rescue Mission, 398 Main St. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• ImOn Ice Arena, 1800 Admiral Sheehey Dr. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Kennedy Mall (common areas), 555 John F. Kennedy Rd. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Petco, 2541 Northwest Arterial. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• PetSmart, 1300 John F. Kennedy Rd. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 14:

• Carnegie-Stout Public Library, 360 W. 11th St. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Dubuque Rescue Mission, 398 Main St. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• ImOn Ice Arena, 1800 Admiral Sheehey Dr. 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Kennedy Mall (common areas), 555 John F. Kennedy Rd. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Petco, 2541 Northwest Arterial. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• PetSmart, 1300 John F. Kennedy Rd. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Please note that the Dubuque Rescue Mission has overnight accommodations for men only.

To protect your health when temperatures are extremely low and winds are high, dress warmly and in layers.

1. Inner Layer: Wear fabrics that will hold more body heat and don't absorb moisture. Wool, silk, or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.
2. Insulation Layer: An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool, goose down, or a fleece work best.
3. Outer Layer: The outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain, and snow. It should be tightly woven, and preferably water and wind resistant, to reduce loss of body heat.

Additional Tips:

• Stay dry - wet clothing chills the body quickly.
• Excessive sweating will cause your body to lose more heat, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.
• Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. Getting these materials on your skin will cause your body to lose a lot more heat.
• Do not ignore shivering - it's an important first sign that your body is losing heat. Constant shivering is a sign that it is time to go inside.
• If you have asthma, breathing in cold, dry air can trigger an asthma attack.
• Check your smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The danger of CO poisoning is greater during winter storms when doors and windows stay closed, and fireplaces and gas heaters are in use. You can also be exposed to deadly CO levels when "warming up" your car in the garage or when snow covers your tailpipe.
• Have a winter survival kit in your car if you must travel.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need extra help.
• NEVER leave people or pets alone in a closed car/automobile.

For additional excessive cold information and resources, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/coldweather