Protect Home, Family In The Cold

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — You may have thought you winterized your home, but when it gets this cold, there can be more to do to protect yourself and your property.

The folks at SUEZ have tips for pipes.

"With forecasted cold air approaching our area which we have not seen for a couple of years and for the remainder of the winter, taking steps to prevent water meters, pipes, plumbing and appliances from freezing is critical," said Chris Graziano, SUEZ Vice President and General Manager.

Outside the home

• Disconnect and drain the garden hose connection.
• Close all outside vents, crawl spaces and doors so cold air and wind does not seep inside.
• Fix broken windows and seal cracks in the walls.

Inside the home

• Wrap the meter and water lines subject to freezing in insulation or heat tape, which is available at hardware stores.
• Make sure the shutoff valves on either side of the water meter are working properly. Place a tag on the main shutoff valve. Make sure everyone knows where it is and how to use it during an emergency.
• Check the water meter periodically.
• If you have had problems in the past, you may want to keep a trickle of water running from the highest faucet during frigid weather. You will be billed for the water used, but this may help prevent costly plumbing repairs that result from broken pipes.

If you won’t be home

• If you are going away for an extended period, keep a minimum amount of heat on in the house. This will help protect the pipes in case the temperature drops.
• If you plan to turn the heat off, drain all the water from the pipes, toilets and water heater, and turn off the power source to the water heater.

If the pipes freeze

• If your pipes freeze, it is important to clear blockages as soon as possible to minimize damage. It may be best to call a licensed plumber.
• If a water pipe has burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house.
• Open a nearby faucet slightly so the pipe can drain as it thaws.
• Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.
• Never use hot water or a blowtorch on a frozen pipe or water meter.

The Red Cross offers more tips:

At home

• If you already caulked and weather-stripped doors and windowsills: next, try covering the coldest windows with plastic from the inside to provide an extra layer of insulation.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. (Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.)
• Make sure you have enough heating fuel on hand.
• Never use a stove, oven, grill, etc. to heat your home.
• Place space heaters on level hard surfaces at least three feet from anything flammable. Never leave them unattended.
• Portable generators pose a serious hazard if used improperly. They should be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never plug a generator into a wall unit, use it indoors or set it up outdoors near open home windows or air-handling vents.
  
• Have emergency equipment at home — portable radio, flashlights, spare batteries, first aid kit, candles, charged chargers for electronics.
• Keep pets warm. Check on your neighbors, friends and family.

Outside

• Wear layered clothing, mittens or gloves, and a hat.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from severely cold air.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
• Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body.

In the car

• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full so you can leave right away in an emergency, and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep in your vehicle: An emergency supply kit, including warm clothing; a windshield scraper and small broom. Matches in a waterproof container. A brightly colored (preferably red) cloth to tie to something.

SEE: Hudson Valley Below Zero: Hazardous Outlook Issued