Stock an emergency supply of food and water before a winter storm. Include food items that require no cooking, such as canned meats, peanut butter, and other non-perishable items. Remember to have necessary medicines and baby items on hand if needed. A three to five-day supply of food and medicine is generally sufficient. Many of these items may already be in your home from your hurricane kit. 

Severe winter storms can produce conditions such as ice, impassable roads, and power outages, which can isolate you in your home for several days. Prolonged loss of power and phone services can severely limit your ability to heat your home and call for help. In severe winter storms, obtaining supplies, food and other necessities can be hampered or prevented by poor road conditions.

Freezing temperatures can make your home's plumbing system freeze and crack, leaving you without water service. A crack as small as one-eighth of an inch can unleash more than 250 gallons of water a day and cause flooding, high water bills, and serious property damage.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your pipes and keep your water flowing and functional. Protecting your home's plumbing system is your responsibility as a homeowner, but Union County Water offers guidance on their website to help customers know how to protect their pipes in winter weather. Here are some key tips: 

Cold Weather Precautions

• Use pipe wraps to protect pipes in unheated areas or anywhere they are exposed to freezing temperatures, especially attics, garages and crawl spaces. Insulated pipe wraps can be purchased at your local home improvement or hardware store. Pro tip: pool noodles work great for this purpose.

• Never let faucets drip outside. If dripping or leaking, make the necessary repairs or call a plumber before a freeze. Cold weather will freeze a small drip, fill the faucet, and freeze the pipe potentially causing it to burst.

• Disconnect outside water hoses from spigots. If left connected during freezing temperatures, water in hoses can freeze and expand causing connecting faucets and pipes to burst.

If Your Pipes Freeze or Burst

• Don't risk it. If nothing comes out when you turn on your faucet, call a plumber. Union County Water cannot recommend a specific plumber to you, but we do recommend that you use a licensed, local and reputable plumber. 

• If you think one of your pipes is frozen or has burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house. Your shut-off valve is located where the service line enters your home, usually in a garage or closet. 

 

Seventy-five percent of all winter weather-related deaths occur on the road, either in accidents or by people becoming stranded. When the weather is bad, and driving conditions are poor, the best bet is to stay at home.

Follow these tips if you must drive in winter weather:

1. Ensure that your battery, antifreeze, windshield wipers, ignition, and thermostat are all in good working order. Be sure your tires have enough tread. Replace any of these items if necessary.
2. If you must go out when snow and ice are on the ground, let someone know your destination and when you plan to arrive. Also, take a cell phone with you. 
3. Clean snow and ice off all parts of your car before you drive away.
4. Keep your gas tank as full as possible when snow and ice are forecasted.
5. Keep the following essential items in your car: windshield scraper and brush, booster/jumper cables, a tow chain or rope, bag of sand or salt, blankets, flashlight, first aid kit, and road map.
6. Drive slow. Driving at even posted speeds is extremely dangerous when snow and ice are on the road. Many vehicles will lose traction, especially at higher speeds, resulting in serious accidents and vehicle rollovers. 
7. Steer your car into the skid. If your vehicle loses traction and begins to skid, steer the front tires in the direction of the skid. Never hit your brakes, as this will result in a more serious skid and spinning of the vehicle. When your vehicle skids keep your cool and remain calm. 

With the cold temperatures comes an increase in the number of house fires. House fires resulting from heating material within the home ranks second for the most deaths and property loss. Chimney fires are the number one cause of home heating fires and are typically the result of a poorly maintained chimney where creosote builds up. Space heaters are usually involved in 25 percent of home heating fires, accounting for 74 percent of deaths. Keep space heaters three feet from flammable items. Finally, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace any broken detectors and dead batteries.  

Ice falling in freezing rain is hazardous and poses various problems. The ability of freezing rain to accumulate on nearly every surface, including trees, power lines, and bridges, makes it one of the most dangerous forms of winter weather. As little as a quarter of an inch of freezing rain can create widespread power outages.

When driving, ice can be challenging to see. The road may appear wet when, in reality, what seems to be water may be ice. If the temperature outside is below freezing, ice can form on the roads, especially on bridges and overpasses. Do not panic or slam on your brakes when encountering ice. It is safer to decelerate to a stop slowly.