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January 3, 2025
Home / Articles / Severe Weather / Are you prepared for the freezing temperatures?

Are you prepared for the freezing temperatures?

When temperatures drop below 32 degrees, it’s important to remember to protect people, pets, pipes, and plants. Here are some tips to follow:

  • Help others winterize: Check on your family, friends and neighbors who may need help preparing for freezing temperatures.
  • Ensure pets have a warm, safe shelter: If you are cold, so are they.
  • Cover sensitive plants: Use frost cloths, old sheets, or burlap to shield outdoor plants from frost.
  • Move potted plants: Bring container plants indoors or into a garage.
  • Wrap exposed pipes: Use foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or other insulating materials to cover exposed outdoor pipes, including those in attics, crawl spaces, or garages.
  • Cover outdoor faucets: Install faucet covers or use foam insulation to protect exterior faucets from freezing.
  • Disconnect outdoor hoses: Remove and store garden hoses before the first freeze to prevent damage to your faucet and pipes.
  • Drip, don’t run: Only drip faucets in areas where pipes are more exposed to freezing, like those along exterior walls or in unheated garages or attics. Turn the faucet on just enough for water to drip once every few seconds, not a stream. For single-handle faucets, leave it in the “warm” position to keep both hot and cold water flowing. For two-handle faucets, open both sides slightly.
  • Capture the drip: Place a container under the dripping faucet to collect the water to use for other purposes.
  • Locate your water shutoff valve: Know where your shutoff valve is in case a pipe bursts, so you can quickly stop the water flow.
  • Inspect for leaks promptly: After a freeze, check for leaks both indoors and outdoors. A quick repair can prevent further water loss and damage.

outdoor faucet covered by a styrofoam freeze protector

Driving Conditions

Always use extra caution when driving in any type of inclement weather.

  • Remove ice from your vehicle before you drive.
  • Slow down. Rain, sleet, and snow can limit visibility, giving drivers less time to recognize danger.
  • Ensure windshield wipers, headlights and tail lights are functioning properly.
  • Overpasses and bridges pose the greatest risk of icing. Take extra precautions when driving over them.
  • Report downed powerlines or trees by calling 979.822.3777 or online.
  • Traveling out of town? Check driving conditions on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) roads before leaving, by visiting DriveTexas.org.

Stay Warm and Safe

While heating your home this winter, be sure to follow these importance safety tips:

  • Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
  • Plug space heaters directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
  • Remove lint and dust from electric heaters permanently installed in the wall or ceiling. Lint and dust will burn!
  • Never use an oven, stove top, patio heater, outdoor fire pit or grill to heat your home.
  • If you have to use a generator, keep it outside and as far away from your house as possible to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • If you use a fireplace, make sure it has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from jumping out.
  • Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

    • Stay Informed

    Local Alerts

    In emergencies, the Brazos Community Emergency Operations Center may send out notifications via text message.

    City Social Media

    Follow city social media channels for up-to-date notices.

    Know the Terms

    Advisories: Be Aware
    Watches: Be Prepared
    Warnings: Take Action

    Resources

     
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    Posted in: Articles, Severe Weather