Reminder to everyone of the important actions you can take to keep your home and family safe during the upcoming winter weather headed to Houston! Remember the 4 P’s…..
PEOPLE
Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.
Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture, curtains or any flammable material/object.
Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors, including your garage!
If using a fireplace, make sure chimney is free of debris and that flue is working properly. Also use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
Test your window sills and door frames to make sure they are air tight and not allowing cold air in and your heat out!
BE PREPARED FOR POWER OUTAGES JUST IN CASE! Stock up on battery operated lights and/or heaters and don’t forget the batteries! The less fire hazard from candles we have, the better! And remember you cannot use any open flame cooking appliances closer than 10 feet from a building.
PETS
Bring pets inside to a sheltered area and make sure they have a warm blanket to lay on.
Keep adequate food and water available.
It’s important to remember that a pet’s age, breed or illness may affect how they tolerate the cold winter months. The Houston SPCA advises that it is best that all pets stay indoors due these unpredictable weather conditions.
PIPES
Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
Wrap exposed faucets and pipes outside the house and in garages. You can purchase covers for these at your local hardware store. You can also wrap with towels and blankets to make sure pipes are not exposed.
Let faucets drip, especially any with plumbing on an outside wall.
Open your under-sink cabinets in your house to help heat the pipes..
Open closet doors also in case you have plumbing in the walls or ceiling.
Turn your thermostats to a consistent temperature of at least 65 degrees or warmer during the cold to help heat the home better.
PLANTS
Know which plants need to be protected and which can withstand the cold.
Move potted plants inside a garage or house.
Cover plants that cannot be moved with blankets or sheets to protect them from freezing wind and rain. If there is sleet or snow that collects, dust it off as soon as it is safe. Remember….plants need oxygen to survive so if you use plastic to cover them, make surer there is ventilation!
ONE MORE VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER…..
With colder weather approaching, people will start using their fireplaces. Please make sure to perform the following maintenance each year before use!
- Sweep the Chimney:
You should hire a chimney sweep before you start using your fireplace at the beginning of winter. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that you have your chimney swept once a year to remove dangerous soot and debris. - Note Any Abnormalities:
While your professional chimney sweeper is over, make sure to let him or her know about any odd things you have noticed from your chimney. This could be an odd smell, a new draft or anything of the sort. - Check for Damages:
You need to check the interior chimney structure and lining for cracks, loose bricks, deterioration or missing mortar and report any noted issues to management. - Inspect the Damper:
The damper is a valve or plate that regulates air flow inside of your chimney. You want to make sure that it is working properly before you start using the fireplace.