Is there anything more frustrating than waking up on a cold winter morning to find that you have no water because the pipes have frozen?   Water pipes that are exposed to cold can freeze when the temperature drops to 20 or lower.

Taking a few simple steps before the snow flies can help protect your pipes.

1. Indoor Pipes

Inside your home, the pipes that are most vulnerable to freezing are those located in un-insulated spaces such as crawl spaces, basements, attics and garages, or in exterior walls.

Before cold weather arrives, insulate pipes in these exposed areas with foam insulation at a minimum.  If you have experienced frozen pipes in the past, consider wrapping those pipes with electrical heating tape and then insulating them.

If you can’t protect pipes before cold weather sets in, you may need to let the water run during very cold weather.  Remember, hot water pipes can also freeze, so let a small steady stream of lukewarm water run.  For sinks against outside walls, it may also help to open cabinet doors below the sink so warm air can circulate.

If you’re taking a winter vacation, don’t turn off the heat.  Leaving the thermostat set to at least 55 can help keep pipes from freezing.

2. Water Meter

Customers of Fort Wayne City Utilities are responsible for making sure the water meter is protected from freezing.  If the meter is in an unheated garage, keep the garage door closed to hold in as much heat as possible.  Protect the meter in a basement or crawl space by closing off crawl space vents and doors, repairing broken windows and making sure basement doors and windows close tightly.  You might also consider installing an insulated meter cover.  If the meter does freeze, City Utilities customers may be charged more than $130 for a replacement.

3.  Gutters

Clean leaves and other debris out of the gutters so that they will be able to carry away melting snow and ice.  Leaves and other material can freeze in a downspout causing the downspout to burst or causing the gutters to overflow.  As part of cleaning the gutters, use a hose to spray a concentrated stream of water down the downspout to force out any potential blockages.

4. Exterior Faucets and Hoses

A dripping outdoor water faucet – also known as a hose bib or sill cock – can cause the faucet and water pipe that feeds it to freeze and break.  Many hose bibs installed today are frost –free.  If you have an older home turn off the water to the faucet inside the house if possible, then drain the faucet by turning it on for a few moments.  If there is no inside shut-off, consider putting an insulated cover over the hose bib.

Disconnect the garden hose.  Leaving the hose connected to the outside faucet can cause water to remain in the faucet.  If it freezes, it can burst the pipe.  Protect the hose itself by disconnecting and draining it, especially if you plan to leave it outside during the winter.  If the water freezes inside the hose it may cause the hose to split.

If a pipe does freeze despite all of your precautions, and you know where the freeze up is located, you may be able to thaw the pipe yourself, but it should be done slowly and carefully to avoid a pipe break.  One option is to use a hand-held hair dryer.  Blow the warm air over the pipe, keeping the dryer moving.  Another method is to wrap the frozen pipe with towels or rags and pour warm water over it.  This is messy, but may work.  Finally, make sure everyone in the house knows where the master water shut-off valve is located.  In case a pipe bursts, you can turn off the water.  The master shut-off is usually located near where the water line enters the house.  You may want to tag the valve with a bright color so you don’t have to search for it.

Contributed by Mary Jane Slaton, Program Manager, City Utilities

Posted in City Utilities, Neighborhoods | Leave a comment

Help Keep Sidewalks Safe When it Snows

Most people in Fort Wayne use sidewalks every day walking to work, school or shopping.  We use sidewalks for exercise and also to wait for buses.   Without a wide clear path through the snow and ice it can be difficult for anyone to use the sidewalks safely.  It can be especially difficult for children, senior citizens and people with disabilities.   Please help the City keep sidewalks cleared of snow and ice this winter.

  • Sidewalks should be cleared by 9:00 AM if snow has fallen overnight.
  • Remove snow along all of the sidewalk adjacent to your property.  If you live on a corner lot, you may have sidewalk on two sides.
  • Pile the snow on your yard or the park strip.
  • Please don’t push the snow from your driveway or sidewalk into the street and don’t cover crosswalks with snow.

Taking responsibility for your sidewalks helps to provide a safe, continuous path for pedestrians in your neighborhood and it is required by the Fort Wayne Municipal Code.

Contributed by Mary Jane Slaton, Program Manager, City Utilities.

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With the holiday season upon us, the City of Fort Wayne Police Department would like to offer the following holiday shopping safety suggestions:

  • Shop during daylight hours whenever possible, and if you must shop at night then shop with a friend.
  • Park your vehicle in a well-lit or high traffic area.
  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and if you carry a purse or a wallet keep it close to your body.
  • Avoid overloading yourself with shopping bags or packages.  Return to your vehicle periodically to store any purchases, and be sure to store those items in the trunk of your vehicle.
  • Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason, and most especially avoid street or parking lot vendors — many times these individuals are selling stolen or unlicensed merchandise, or may be trying to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
  • Always, always be alert to your surroundings.


If shopping online:

  • Shop secure websites only.
  • If not using a prepaid credit card, then use a credit card.  Do not use a debit card to make purchases online.


    Contributed by the Fort Wayne Police Department.

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    In recent weeks, the Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) has responded to numerous reported kitchen fires. Because of this surge, and since it is Fire Prevention Week, the FWFD would like to remind citizens of simple kitchen fire prevention tips. Whether you are cooking the family holiday dinner or a snack for the children, practicing safe cooking behaviors will help keep you and your family safe.

    It’s a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or leave flammable materials, such as potholders or paper towels, around the stove. More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and more than 20,000 are injured. Cooking is the leading cause of home fire in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of injuries. Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically.

    1. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year. Consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
    2. Never leaving cooking unattended. A serious fire can start in just seconds.
    3. Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all small appliances are turned off.
    4. Always wear short, tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
    5. Don’t cook if you’re under the influence of alcohol, taking a medication that causes drowsiness, or are fatigued.
    6. Never use the range or oven to heat your home.
    7. Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from flames and heating elements.
    8. Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.
    9. Heat oil gradually to avoid burns from spattering grease.
    10. If a fire breaks out while cooking, put a lid on the pan to smother it, or use baking soda or a fire extinguisher. Never throw water on a grease fire.
    11. Don’t try to move or carry a pan in which there is a hot grease/grease fire. Even though moving the pan is common reaction when a grease fire is discovered, it often results in burns to the carrier and additional fire damage.

    So when should you call 911, and when should you try to fight a fire yourself? While fire extinguishers and baking soda can put out small fires when used properly, kitchen fires can spring up quickly and spread even faster. In the event of a fire, never hesitate to call the fire department. You should also be sure to get your family out of the house. Remember safety first: Keep yourself and your family protected, and call 911 for help.

    For more information about kitchen fires, visit www.fortwaynefiredepartment.org or call Stacey Fleming at 260.427.1102.

    Contributed by Stacey Fleming, Public Information Officer, FWFD

    Posted in Fire Department | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

    The Southside Market is located on Warsaw St. between Rudisill and Pontiac

    As the old adage states, “It is better to give, than receive.”   The United Way Day of Caring is a one-day event, involving thousands of people across the City, that really brings that saying to life. These volunteers take on a wide range of projects throughout the area to promote a vital and healthy community.  And, while the actual event may only be one day, it takes prior planning and preparation by many people to make it successful; many levels of giving to make our community a better place to live.

    City employees have participated in the Day of Caring for several years, but seven years ago staff members decided to take a more personal approach to helping. They wanted to connect to projects in their community.  It started by connecting with people that had active Neighborhood Code cases that were right in their own neighborhoods. They sought out those most in need (those that were on fixed or limited income). With this slight change in criteria, the city employee participation rate grew from approximately 18 employees to more than 60 in just seven years.

    Plain and simple, it feels good to give back. Whether that neighbor is next door or across town, the goal is to make a positive impact in their community.

    In seven years, our employees completed 16 projects ranging from painting garages to demolishing garages; painting and repairing houses to repairing roofs and building fences. This year, they focused on the Southside Market for one of their projects. City employees took on this historically significant landmark– located in Southeast Fort Wayne.

    The Marketplace represents the essence of family, community and neighborhood. It has been a gathering place for people every Saturday morning since 1929. Neighbors have fond memories of going to the market with their parents, siblings, and friends and following their nose to the quaint little restaurant inside….hanging around soaking up the smells, while their parents shopped for fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and chickens brought in by local farmers.

    A clipping from the News Sentinel in 1934. These are the grandparents of Richard Schlup of Neighborhood Code.

    This project was particularly special in that the grandparents of one of our City staff working on the project were one of the founding families of the market.  Because Southside Market has brought so much enjoyment to families in the area, it is fitting that “family” was there to help to ensure that the tradition lives on.

    The renovation of the Market, built in 1929 and expanded in 1949, included power-washing, painting and some wood repair. It was a major undertaking, in fact, there was so much work to be done that many volunteers came back a second day to complete all of the necessary tasks. With Day of Caring volunteers and business donations this project saved the Market over $10,000 for the renovation.

    The late Dick Schlup, the son of Fred (above) and father of City employee, Richard.

    Fort Wayne is fortunate to have several businesses willing to donate the many supplies, lunches, equipment and services needed to carry out and complete each of the year’s Day of Caring projects.  This year’s generous donors included Garcia Concrete, Haffner Paint Company, Hahns Systems, Hanna Brothers Painting, Home Depot, Home Lumber, Kroger, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Lowe’s, McNamara Florist at Sand Point, Pizza Hut, PPG Porter Paint, R&C Fence, Sam’s Club, Scott’s, Sherwin Williams Paint Company, U-Haul, and Walmart. We are also grateful to the many City departments that participate and supply the equipment, trucks and manpower: Street Department, Parks Department, Solid Waste, Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services and the Mayor’s Office.

    A huge thank you to all of those who care about our City and a special thanks to Mayor Henry for supporting and allowing us to take these opportunities to coordinate and participate in this much-needed service to our community.

    Another booth that won a prize at the Southside Market in 1934.

    The Southside Market is a vibrant place to get fresh produce and many other items.

    Contributed by Cindy Joyner and Pamela Burns of Neighborhood Code Enforcement.

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    Mobile Adoption Unit "Whisker Wag'n"

    Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is ever busy trying to find more families to adopt homeless animals in Fort Wayne.  That is one of the many reasons they developed a new and exciting venture for pet adoptions.  It’s called the Whisker Wag’n!

    The Whisker Wag’n is a mobile adoption unit that allows the shelter to showcase available animals in hopes of reaching potential adopters throughout the community . . . wherever they are!   The unit, the only one of its kind in Allen County, hit the road in November of 2010 and immediately broadened the department’s outreach to new venues and new hours.  Pet loving fans have been excited to find dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and even pocket pets aboard the vehicle.  All eagerly awaiting adoption into new and loving homes!

    The Animal Care & Control Whisker Wag’n is always looking to ”get its paws” involved with new and exciting events that offer substantial adoption opportunities!  If you have an upcoming event, call Animal Care & Control at 427-1244 to discuss the criteria for scheduling a Whisker Wag’n appearance.

    A sponsorship fee is required and provides staff and volunteer coverage of this non tax-based program.  For additional information call 260-427-5511 or visit the shelter’s website at www.fwacc.org under “Events” to see where the Whisker Wag’n is heading next.

    Contributed by Peggy Bender, Community Relations & Education Specialist, Animal Care & Control

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    Animal Care & Control’s Education Department is pleased to partner once again with Student Focus on Health, a Midwest Alliance for Health Education, in an effort to keep children safe.  The community affairs project targets elementary through high school age students with presentations traditionally offered in the fall.

    The ultimate goal is to encourage healthy lifestyles beginning in early childhood in hopes of promoting a long productive life.  With age-appropriate topics, students are made aware of the impact of unhealthy habits, and are taught alternative choices to improve their health and well being.

    Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control’s emphasis is to teach students safe and respectful behaviors when they interact with animals, and, more specifically, how children can avoid being bitten or scratched by an animal.  Through pictures of dogs in various stances, students better understand potential threats when they see stiffness or staring, a lip curl, or various signals that indicate a stressed animal.  The education department’s goal is to teach students what to do, what not to do, and to assess a dog’s body language in time to remove themselves before it elevates to a bite.

    In addition to Student Focus on Health, the shelter’s education department has adopted 514 area classrooms this school year and will provide them with monthly education information that promotes responsible pet care and fosters respectful and caring attitudes along with bite prevention and animal safety.

    Here a a couple of links that are examples of what these students are learning:

    Dog Safety

    Stray Dogs

    Contributed by Peggy Bender, Public Community Relations & education Specialist, Animal Care & Control

    Posted in Animal Care & Control | Leave a comment

    Unfortunately, getting older is inevitable, but have you noticed how some people seem to get better, even happier the older they get? What’s their secret? Staying active. But just the thought of exercise makes most people groan…unless that exercise is fun! The Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Community Center at 233 W. Main Street is the place to go if you’re 50 years or older and want to enjoy staying active, especially through the week of September 26 – 30.  It is Active Aging Week and there’s a whole lineup of free, enjoyable and unique activities for adults 50+. Please register for these events by calling 427-6460 by noon the day before the event.

    Here are a few of the highlights:

    Monday, September 26.

    • 10 am–Geocaching Scavenger Hunt by Foot (Community Center)
    • 2 pm–Taiko Drumming (Community Center)

    Tuesday, September 27

    • 9 am–Pickleball Tournament (Lions Park)
    • 1:30 pm—Cornhole Tournament. Men & Women Divisions. Prizes will be awarded. (Community Center)

    Wednesday, September 28

    • 10 am–Table Tennis Tournament Men & Women Divisions. (Community Center)
    • 10 am – 2 pm–Progressive Lunch. (Community Center)

    Thursday, September 29

    • 9:30 am—Frontier Games (Old Fort) Hoops & Sticks, Horseshoes, Egg Toss and Apple Bobbing.

    Friday, September 30

    • 10 am—Zumba (Community Center)
    • 2:30 pm—Luah / Entertainment Fox Islanders and refreshments (Community Center)

    For a list of all of the free activities during Active Aging Week, or to see the $1 drop-in activities that the Community Center offers all year long, visit www.fortwayneparks.org

    Contributed by Natalie Eggeman, Public Information Officer, Parks & Recreation

    Posted in Parks and Trails | Leave a comment

    Photo by: Dave Herr, USDA Forest Service

    Imagine the scare of hearing something creeping around your home in the early morning hours.  That’s precisely what happened with Pam Messman, a city resident who discovered she had a posse of raccoons throwing a small party in her kitchen.  The raccoons were smart to choose a great food source, but Pam didn’t toss down a welcome mat for the three wild critters that had entered from a hole beneath her kitchen sink.  Fortunately she knew to call Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control for service.  In a case like this, even if our officers have gone home for the night, we will dispatch an officer to run the call.  Our officers who are on call have take-home vehicles so they can respond quickly to what is considered a public safety emergency.

    Some types of wildlife inside your home put family members at risk.  The normal course of action is to see if the animals can be lured outside.  In this case the raccoons went into hiding, so a live trap was the next best option.  As soon as the raccoons went inside the trap to eat the bait, Pam called us to return and remove the animals from her city residence.

    We know that raccoons rarely exhibit a fear of people since they are born and raised in neighborhoods.  They have replaced their former nesting places with attics, crawlspaces, chimney dampers, hot tubs, decks, tool sheds and storm drains.  Dog and cat water bowls, swimming pools and ponds have replaced water sources such as creeks and springs. Raccoons are nocturnal animals that roam neighborhoods at night looking for food.  They are opportunistic feeders, dining on insects, fruits, vegetables, acorns, seeds, fish and small mammals, as well as dog and cat food and garbage left out overnight.  Litters are usually born in April or May and range in size from one to nine, although the average is four.  By mid-June, most young raccoons accompany their mother on food searches and begin to learn survival skills.

    If you are a city resident and a wild animal is inside your home, Animal Care & Control can provide you with a live trap to catch and remove the animal.  Wild animals that are creating a nuisance outside your home are not considered a threat to public safety.  They can be handled by calling a nuisance wildlife removal company or simply removing the conditions that are attracting them to your home.

    Keep your chimney capped and secure your trash can lid with a thick rubber strap with hooks on the end.  Look for holes that may give wildlife easy access to your home.  For additional information, visit our website at www.fwacc.org and click the link on wildlife or visit www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2351.htm.  To request a trap, call our business office at 427-1244 (option 7).

    Local Companies Licensed by the DNR for Wildlife Removal

    Critter Control:                       (260) 625-3099

    Naylor and Sons:                     (260)436-2792

    Sly Fox Wildlife Control:       (260) 637-8861

    Contributed by Peggy Bender, Community Relations & Education Specialist, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

    Posted in Animal Care & Control | Leave a comment

    When temperatures soar toward 100 degrees, nothing sounds more refreshing than a cool dip in a pool, right? Well, our City pools are treated to control bacteria and carefully monitored. Our fountains, located in Freimann Square and Lakeside Park, are not treated and could very well contain harmful bacteria. The fountains are meant to be admired and enjoyed for their visual beauty and the peaceful sound of babbling water.  Swimming, wading and pets are not allowed in the fountains.

    Lakeside Fountain

    So, enjoy the three City pools—Northside, McMillen and Memorial—and know that you are in safe hands. Or, try out one of the following free splash pads for a change of pace:

    Buckner Park, 6114 Bass Rd.

    McCormick Park, 2300 Raymond & Holly

    Memorial Park, 2301 Maumee & Glasgow

    Shoaff Park, 6401 St. Joe Road

    Waynedale Park, 2900 Koons & Elzey

    Kreager Park, 7225 North River Road

    Buckner Park Splash Pad

    For more information about Parks & Recreation pools or splash pads, visit www.fortwayneparks.org.

    Contributed by Natalie Eggeman, Public Information Officer, Parks and Recreation

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