Winter Safety Tips 

Over the next few days, central Ohio is expected to experience extreme weather conditions with severe wind gusts and sub-zero temperatures.  Below are a few winter safety tips from the American Red Cross to help ensure you are prepared.

Cold weather tips:
  • Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm.  Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
  • Be very careful if you need to shovel snow.  It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. 
  • Watch for symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin. 
  • Don't forget your pets - bring them indoors. If they can't come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
  • Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage. 
  • Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst. 
  • Download the American Red Cross First Aid App for quick, expert advice on what to do in case of an emergency. This free app is available on the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores. See all Red Cross apps at www.redcross.org/mobileapps. 
Heating tips:

Heating systems are running at full force and many people are resorting to other sources to keep their homes warm. To avoid fire danger, you should remember the following:

  • Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
  • If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away - things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. 
  • Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed. 
  • If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. 
  • Use generators correctly - never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. 
  • Don't hook a generator up to the home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
To read more about how to prepare for winter storms and extreme cold, click here.

Gahanna in the News 

Mayor Eager to Listen, Engage Public in '14
Original story by Marla K. Kuhlman, ThisWeek Community News

Gahanna reThis Week news logosidents should look forward to being heard this year when it comes to what they want the city to look like in the future.

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb said 2014 would be a time of listening to residents, reshaping local government and figuring out priorities. She said she expects to work with council and residents to find a path moving forward.

 

Residents defeated a proposed 1-percent income-tax increase in May and November last year. If approved, the tax rate would have changed from 1.5 to 2.5 percent. The increase was estimated to generate about $8 million annually for general municipal operations and services, including police, street maintenance, parks and recreation, and capital improvements.

 

"I expect a year of examining everything we do," Stinchcomb said. "We will continue to listen. It will be a good six months of listening. What will you support (on a ballot), if anything? What I hear is maybe something targeted at special uses dedicated to parks or roads."

 

Click here to read the full story.  

Upcoming City Events & Information 

Parks & Recreation Cancellation Policy 
  

If Gahanna-Jefferson Schools close due to inclement weather, all Gahanna Parks & Recreation programs, including those at the Gahanna Senior Center, will be canceled and rescheduled at a later date. If you have additional questions, please contact the Parks & Recreation office at 614.342.4250.  

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Last Call for Program Registration!

 

Have you registered for yoga, Tumblin' 4 Kids or Jump Start Sports activities yet? The first session of Hatha Yoga for Every Body begins tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7, Slow Flow Hatha Yoga begins Wednesday, January 8 and Urban Zen gets started Thursday, January 9. Jump Start Sports programs, including Little Hoop Stars, Hoop Stars and Volleyball tip-off beginning Saturday, January 12.   

 

Session one of the always popular Tumblin' 4 Kids where kids ages 2-12 (separated by age groups) can learn proper stretching, tumbling and apparatus skills in a fun environment gets jumping Wednesday, January 15. Don't get left out, register today!

 

Registration and program details are only a click away or you may call 614.342.4250.

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 '2014 Best Hometown' Photo Contest 

 
Submitted by Dutch Sines

There's still time to submit your best photo of Gahanna! Upload your 'Best Hometown' photo to our Facebook Fan page (CityofGahanna) with the caption, "2014 Best Hometown," for a chance to have your picture displayed in City Hall and at the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau (GCVB).

 

Additionally, winning photos will be featured on the City's and GCVB's digital media platforms (i.e. website, e-newsletter, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).  

 

The deadline to submit your photos is January 31, 2014.   For more information about the contest click here.   

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January 6, 2014
Upcoming Events
 
January 20, 2014 
City Hall will be closed in observance of  the MLK Holiday.  Normal Business Hours will resume on Tuesday, January 21, 2014

January 21, 2014
  
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City of Gahanna 
200 South Hamilton 
Gahanna, OH 43230

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