West Wake News

As winter knocks on Cary’s door, let's weather the freeze with ease. Discover seven essential tips to safeguard your home from frozen pipes, conserve energy efficiently, and ensure the community's well-being. Let's navigate through the winter freeze together:

1. Pipe Protection: Open cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes. Drip one cold-water faucet slowly if you feel your pipes may still freeze, capturing the drips in a bowl for further use in the home. Should you experience a power outage for more than 24 hours, stop dripping your faucets and turn off your water at the meter.
2. Heating Safety: Ensure proper ventilation for fossil fuel heat sources, and never use grills indoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep heaters at a safe distance from flammable objects like bedding and curtains and follow manufacturer guidelines.
3. Driving and Parking Tips: Review these winter driving tips from the North Carolina Highway Patrol to ensure safe traveling with the potential of black ice. Avoid parking during adverse conditions for efficient Cary services and clear streets.
4. Emergency Kit Essentials: Prepare a kit with blankets, shelf-stable snacks, water, a flashlight with batteries, and a first aid kit for unexpected situations.
5. Pet Care: Bring pets indoors or provide adequate shelter and warmth using extra blankets or heated pet beds.
6. Water Quality: Below freezing temperatures may cause water to appear white and cloudy when first dispensed from the tap due to the oxygen in the water reacting to the temperature. Cloudiness should dissipate after a minute or two and does not impact the quality or taste of our water.
7. Check on Vulnerable Populations: Reach out to seniors and those needing winter assistance, offering support with essential tasks and items.

Be informed about local weather updates to anticipate changes in freezing temperatures through our ReadyWake notification service and learn more about winter preparedness at carync.gov/cold.

Original source can be found here.