GREENFIELD — People who need shelter from the extremely cold weather in the next several days may seek refuge at Hancock Hope House, 35 E. Pierson St., Greenfield.
The county’s homeless shelter is setting up its family living room as a temporary overnight space from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend hours will be determined on a case-by-case basis if necessary.
Those who seek shelter may check in at the facility’s office door, and they will be subject to Hope House’s rules and a background check. The background check will take about 30 minutes.
Those who are not eligible to stay can secure transportation by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department to Wheeler Mission in Indianapolis.
Those who are allowed to stay overnight will be able to use restrooms and showers and can get food in the shelter’s pantry.
Hope House, which provides shelter to homeless people and those transitioning back into the community, requires residents to adhere to its general rules. Those include remaining drug- and alcohol-free; a lights-out time of 11 p.m.; and no smoking within 25 feet of the building. Temporary residents also will be expected to help with general cleaning, especially in the bathroom and kitchen areas.
Hope House decided to make the space available over the next several days after community organizers were not able to secure space for an overnight warming center in Greenfield, executive director Andrea Mallory said. Guidance issued Friday, Feb. 5, suggested daytime refuge may be sought at the Hancock County Public Library in Greenfield.
Night-time temperatures will be in the single digits most of the next week, with dangerous wind-chill effects making it feel even colder, according to the National Weather Service.
Hope House is a few blocks south of the Hancock County Courthouse and a block east of State Street on Pierson Street.
STAYING SAFE
The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross offers the following tips on handling the extreme cold:
INDOORS
Bring your companion animals indoors.
Learn how to protect pipes from freezing.
If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes; keep away children and pets.
Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets – never into an extension cord.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
OUTDOORS
Make any trips outside as brief as possible.
Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves and a hat. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens or gloves and a hat will prevent the loss of body heat.
Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air. Avoid taking deep breaths; minimize talking.
Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Frostbite symptoms include numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy-feeling skin.
