01/23/2026
Stay warm and stay safe!
Here are some helpful tips to protect your home, pets, and loved ones during the freeze (some may not apply depending on your setup):
Protect Your Pipes (Prevent Bursting)
• Drip Faucets: Let faucets (both hot and cold) drip continuously, especially those on exterior walls.
• Open Cabinets: Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer house air to circulate around pipes.
• Insulate/Cover Pipes: Wrap outdoor faucets with covers, rags, or foam insulation.
• Remove Hoses: Disconnect, drain, and store garden hoses.
• Turn Off Sprinklers: Turn off your irrigation system at the controller.
• Know Your Shut-off: Locate your home's main water shut-off valve in case of a burst pipe.
Protect Plants and Pets
• Plants: Cover sensitive plants with frost blankets, tarps, or sheets to trap ground heat. Bring potted plants inside.
• Pets: Bring all pets and livestock inside or into a warm, insulated, and dry shelter.
• Pools: Keep your pool pump running to prevent pipes from freezing.
Protect People and Home
• Heating: Set your thermostat to at least 60°F – 68°F to maintain a warm environment.
• Safety First: Never use a generator, grill, or propane heater indoors; these cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Supplies: Check your emergency kit (blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food, water, medicine).
• Check On Neighbors: Monitor elderly family members, friends, and neighbors.
• Gas Up: Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half-full.
If Leaving Town
• Shut off your home's main water supply, drain the pipes, and leave your heater on a low setting