Winter Harzard Prevention Tips  

• Remove dead or overhanging tree branches. Heavy snow or ice can cause them to break and potentially damage your property or injure someone
• Thoroughly clean all leaves, sticks, and other debris from rain gutters and down spouts. This allows melting roof snow to flow into gutters & through down spouts.
• Make sure all pipes near the exterior of your home are well insulated.
• During extremely cold weather, or periods of absence, open cabinet doors in your kitchen or bathroom to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
• Keep slow trickles of water flowing from faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space.
• Keep flammable material away from space ehaters, and do not overload electric circuits.
• Keep the house warm. Set the thermostat for at least 65 degrees. Since the temperature inside the walls (where the pipes are located) is substantially colder, a lower temperature may not keep the pipes from freezing.
• Have your heating system serviced in spring, summer, or fall.
• Have a caretaker if you will be away! You need someone to check your house on a daily basis while you are away!
• Show caretaker(s) how to shut the water off, and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water, or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.
• Heat tape should NOT be used because it is a fire hazard!
• Turning off the water and draingin your system may be right in some circumstances to eliminate the possiblitiy of freeze damages. Do not turn your water off if you have a boiler or other hydronic heating system if you plan on leaving the heat on! For more information on entirely draining your household water system, please visit: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/plumbing/systems/winterize/heat_off.htm
• Keep all external vents and chimneys unblocked and free from debris
• Use external vents of all gas appliances where appropriate
• Keep the area around your furnace clear
• Never use your oven or range to heat your home
• Hot water can be dangerous and cause serious burns. To avoid a potential accident, make sure your hot water setting is 125 degrees or less
• If you have LP gas, know the tank location and how to shut off the gas supply.