Tips To Keep Your Family and Home Safe

DURING SNOWSTORMS AND EXTREME COLD

• Stay indoors.
• Keep pets inside.
• Keep the home’s thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
• Keep the home’s thermostat above freezing.
• Put together a supply kit containing at least three days worth of supplies.
• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. Drive only if absolutely necessary and let someone know where you are going.
• Keep dry and cover exposed skin when outside.
• Walk carefully when outside to avoid snowy, icy walkways.

PROTECT AGAINST FREEZING WATER PIPES

• If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep garage doors closed.
• Open cabinets doors to allow warmer air to circulate around water plumbing.
• Let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes during extremely cold weather.
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses from outside faucets, and turn off the connection to those faucets at the interior valve.
• Close inside water valves supply outdoor hose bibs.

IF A WATER PIPE OR METER FREEZES

• If there are no signs of damage, but there is a lack of water flow.
  • Leave the faucet open as you attempt to thaw the pipes it feeds.
  • Once water is flowing again, open nearby faucets.  Keep that small flow of water running until the reason the pipes started to freeze is correct. Most common reasons include cold drafts and a lack of warm air circulating around the pipes or meters.
  • Never use a torch or open flame to warm water pipes or meters.
• If there are signs of damage, call 855 676 1680 or login to your Resident Portal to submit a maintenance request.