Arctic Blast

  • Do not turn off the heat.

  • If your building is going to be closed during the arctic blast, consider turning off the water and draining the water system.

  • Turn off and drain automatic lawn sprinkler systems.

  • If you do not turn off the water, leave faucets on a slow drip.

  • Monitor the power supply. If you lose power and did not drain the water system, consider having someone drain the water system to prevent broken pipes.

  • Check on the campus daily during the arctic blast.

  • Monitoring ERCOT https://www.ercot.com/gridmktinfo/dashboards.

Prepare your Place of Worship

Protect the Most Vulnerable

  • Check on the elderly and shut-ins regularly during the storm.

  • Consider assigning an able-bodied “Freeze Buddy” to check in on the most vulnerable.  Help them wrap outside pipes and turn off the water should the pipes freeze and burst. Offer help as needed.

People

  • Keep warm and stay inside if possible.

  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves, and an appropriate coat.

  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets

  • Prolonged exposure to the forecasted temperatures and wind may be fatal to unprotected livestock and pets.

  • Bring pets inside and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.

  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

  • Proper winterization of any exposed pipes/plumbing will be needed to prevent damage.

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store them in a protected area.

  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes - outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages, and other areas.

  • If leaving out of town for the upcoming holidays, shut off the main water supply and drain pipes to prevent damage should they burst.

Plants

  • Bring potted plants inside or store them in a garage near the interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.

  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering them with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

  • Tropical plants/vegetation will require maximum freeze protection.

Heater Safety

Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. They can cause fires, severe injuries, and death if not used properly. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:

  • Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, carpets, curtains, and people.

  • Place heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces.

  • Never block exits with a heater, and keep them out of the way of foot traffic.

  • Keep children away from heaters

  • Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets – NEVER use an extension cord.

  • Turn off and unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.

  • Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector, and never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.