Winter Weather & Extreme Cold Temperatures

Winter Weather & Extreme Cold Temperatures

The weather is expected to take a downhill turn for Friday this week and with it we can expect to see the mercury in your thermometer dip as low as 13 degrees Thursday night into Friday. Most of the weather stations are also reporting that the high temperature for Friday may not even get above 16 degrees. With this impending cold weather arriving along with the expected winter storm on our doorstep we wanted to take a quick moment to remind you the dangers of the extreme cold to both you and your home.

When the temperatures drop as low as they are expected to there are a few things you need to be aware of both with your home and with the health of yourself and family members. The first and one of the biggest issues that we stress upon in a home is avoiding frozen pipes. Not only can a frozen pipe cause you to lose water service in your home for an extended period of time, but they can also cause your pipes to burst and can create a big mess later on down the road when warmer temperatures thaw your pipes out. For more on how to tell if your pipes are frozen and some tips on how to prevent frozen pipes in your home read our article from last winter here.

Another thing to be aware of is the temperature inside your home. Now, most people will be keeping their homes toasty warm through the cold snap, but if you turn your thermostat down when you are away or out of your home during the day, make sure to set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. This will reduce the possibility for frozen pipes and other problems while conserving energy or fuel.

While we are talking about heating your home during a cold snap (or any time throughout the winter), if you are planning to use a wood stove or fireplace make sure you have the chimney of flue inspected each year. This will ensure you are able to safely use the fireplace or stove for heat.

Staying Prepared for Cold Weather Emergencies

Some basic things that you might want to keep nearby when the forecast calls for extreme cold and winter weather can include:

  • Snow shovel (kept in a easy to access area)
  • Extra battery supply
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlights
  • Battery powered radio (preferably with a clock)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Rock salt
  • Any necessary medications or special needs items such as diapers
  • Electric space heater
  • Extra blankets
  • Extra supplies of warm clothes

If you happen to have a plumbing, electrical, or HVAC problem during the extreme cold weather, we are here to help get your home back to normal and even offer after-hours emergency service.

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