City of South Bend opens emergency warming shelter

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As temperatures continue to fall, the city of South Bend has opened an emergency warming center for those in need.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center opened Saturday evening and will remain open until 9 a.m. Jan. 21.

The homeless are asked to continue to use the Winter Amnesty Warming Center located on Tutt Street.

The St. Joseph Health Department is asking those that might be at risk in the cold weather to find safety at a shelter, with friends or family.

The department issued several tips to stay warm through frigid temperatures:

• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. 
• Avoid exerting oneself particularly those with medical concerns such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Avoid lingering outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Prepare your car or home with supplies for wintery conditions.

The Red Cross of Northwest Indiana worked with the city to open the shelter for families in need.