Now is the time to prepare for winter months ahead
Even though afternoon temperatures are nice and mild right now, it is time for Kerr County residents to prepare their homes for the upcoming winter months.
“I realize it is hard to think about an ice storm when afternoon temperatures are still pretty comfortable or even warm. But those morning mercury readings are dipping further down and getting pretty chilly. That serves as a great reminder for us that it is time to get ready for whatever ice storms or cold snaps this winter may bring,” said William B. “Dub” Thomas, coordinator of Kerr County Emergency Management.
“In our area, we generally don’t have to deal with the problems that come with snow,” Thomas said. “But, as anyone who was here during ‘Snowmageddon’ in 2021 (Winter Storm Uri) can tell you, an ice storm can cause some serious issues – whether you live out in the rural parts of the Kerr County on a farm or ranch or you live inside city limits.”
“The best way to approach winter and the possibility of a power outage that can cause a loss of heat or communication service is to prepare in advance,” he said. “Please don’t wait until the night before an anticipated arctic front arrives to make your trip to the store for supplies. You may find yourself out of luck. And, if you are fortunate enough to find what you need, you may run the risk of having to do your preparations in some uncomfortable conditions.”
“No doubt about it – it is best to make use of the mild weather we’re having right now to get prepared,” Thomas said.
“Here are some tips to help you be safe this winter, as well as possibly even save some money. While many of the following are common sense and you might have heard them dozens of times, I would ask that you read through the list anyway. It’s better to refresh your memory. And, who knows? You might even learn something that has not occurred to you before,” he said. “It’s just better to play it on the safe side when it comes to you, your family and your home.”
Safety tips
Minimize the risk of frozen/broken pipes. When a hard freeze is predicted, leave faucets running at a trickle, leave all cabinet doors open and make sure all windows and exterior doors are closed.
Never use an oven or a gas stovetop as a heating source for your home.
Only use generators and grills outside and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors or attached garages. Keep generators dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to a wet generator can cause electrical shock. Also, use heavy-duty extension cords when connecting appliances to a generator. Let a generator cool down before refueling, because fuel spilled on a hot engine can ignite a fire.
Do a walk-through of the home to take inventory and then follow-through by caulking, weather stripping and adding insulation to areas in need.
Check smoke detectors/carbon monoxide alarms) to make sure the batteries are fresh and they are in working order.
Avoid using ice-melting chemicals, salt, shovels or sharp-edged tools. Never kick or chip ice or snow with a hard object.
Keep a storage of extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
According to Atmos Energy, snow and ice buildup can damage gas meters and pipes and make them difficult to reach in an emergency. Be sure to remove snow and ice from meters and pipes by gently using a broom or brush.
All external vents for clothes dryers and other natural gas appliances or equipment should be clear. Blocked vents can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas. A licensed plumber or qualified contractor can answer questions about venting.
Gather supplies in case there is a need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each of the household’s specific needs, including medications. Also, don’t forget to get extra provisions for the family pets, advised Ready.gov – a governmental site that offers a wealth of information on what to do in the event of various scenarios, such as severe weather, power outages, winter weather and more.
Leaky gutters should be repaired to ensure that water does not drip and/or freeze on any meters, Atmos Energy said.
If a person thinks they can smell gas, then they should act fast. Leave the area immediately and once at a safe distance away, call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number at 866-322-8667.
Create an emergency supply kit not only for the home, but also for each family member’s vehicle. The kit should include; jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks.
Stay on top of keeping vehicles’ tanks full of gas throughout the winter months.
If possible, stay off the roads during a severe weather event. If something happens and people are trapped in the car for a time, then make sure they stay inside the vehicle and use the emergency supply kit.
Limit any time spent outside if there is an extreme cold weather system under way. If going outside is unavoidable, then wear layers of warm clothing. Be vigilant watching for signs of hypothermia or even frostbite.
Energy saving tips
Lower the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when away from home. Adjusting it when no one is home or sleeping can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling bills. A smart or programmable thermostat can make the job easier. Just make sure home temps are still kept comfortable for pets.
Cut down on the time you spend in the shower or bath. Showering/bathing can account for 40 percent of a home’s hot water use.
Keep the temperature of the water heater to the warm setting *(120 degrees). This will save energy and prevent scalding.
Do not use a pool heater. Instead, run a pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.
Unless there is an active fire in the fireplace, close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney. If the fireplace is never used, then plug and seal the chimney flue.
Take advantage of heat from the sun by opening curtains on the south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows, advises Energy.gov.
Operate a clothes washer, dryer and dishwasher only when fully loaded.
Cover drafty windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear, plastic sheet on a frame or tightly tape clear plastic film to the inside of window frames during cold spells.
Be sure to seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
Replace furnace and heat pump filters once a month or as needed.
Check and replace central heating filters regularly. Dirty filters trap lint, pollen, dust and more that can reduce airflow, which makes the system work harder and take longer to heat the home. Monthly filter replacements are recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy, but they should be changed out at a minimum every three months.
Use LED lights to reduce costs associated with holiday decorations.
Make sure ceiling fans are reversed in direction, so that they push warm air trapped up high back into the room. Ceiling fans should run at low speed clockwise to help during the winter. Be sure to turn it off if no one is in the room to save energy.
Some customers in parts of Texas can take advantage of rebates on high-efficiency natural gas appliances, energy-saving devices and weatherization upgrades. To learn more about Atmos Energy’s SmartChoice rebate program, visit https://www.atmosenergy.com/ways-to-save/appliance-rebates/