Mother Nature is definitely keeping us on our toes!
January 3, 2018As if the zero and below temps aren’t enough to deal with … wait a minute… let’s get ready for a possible Nor’easter this week! Mother Nature is definitely keeping us on our toes!
Here are a few Winter Storm safety tips from the American Red Cross.
Listen to local radio and TV stations for the most current information on the storm in your area.
Take immediate precautions if you hear these words on the news:
Winter Storm WARNING: Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours.
Blizzard WARNING: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater, plus considerable falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, expected to prevail for three hours or longer.
Protect your family from the storm.
Talk with your family about what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Discussing winter storms ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for young children.
A good time to to check supplies and make an emergency kit for home. Also talk about communications when power is out charge your cell phones and have portable chargers ready!
Have your vehicle winterized before the winter storm season to decrease your chance of being stranded in cold weather. Have a mechanic check your battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, and oil.
Service snow removal equipment before the winter storm season and maintain it in good working order.
Be sure you have ample heating fuel, check it today and order your fuel now so it can be delivered before the storm.
If you have alternative heating sources, such as fireplaces, wood- or coal-burning stoves, or space heaters, be sure they are clean and in working order.
Check that your fire extinguisher(s) is in good working order, and replace it if necessary.
Bring your companion animals inside and ensure that your horses and livestock have blankets if appropriate and unimpeded access to shelter, food, and non-frozen water.
Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
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.
When the weather is very cold outside,(as is the case in New England today) let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
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.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home.
f you have experienced a burst pipe locate the shut off water valve and turn it off , it may be twater main shut off. Call Pro-Care to mitigate the water damage we are located in Woburn, MA Hopedale, Ma and Hudson, NH.
Resources:
http://www.redcross.org
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