Extreme Winter Weather
Even brief periods of cold weather can impact people, pets, pipes, and property. The information below outlines practical actions you can take to stay safe, protect your home, and be ready for periods of extreme cold through our area.
Safety and Preparedness Resources
Remember the four “Ps” of winter weather safety.
Click on each for more information
Taking care of People
- Make a family communication plan and discuss with your family.
- Make an emergency kit.
- Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
- If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves, and an appropriate coat.
- If you must travel, use Sugar Land's Real-Time Traffic Conditions Map to check traffic and road conditions before you head out.
- Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.
- Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
- Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes.
- Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
- Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.
Avoid Frostbite
- Dress in layers and cover up to keep frostbite away.
- If you feel numbness or notice grayish, waxy skin, head inside and warm up gently.
- Watch out for signs of hypothermia like shivering, fumbling hands, or confusion, get to a warm spot and dry off if needed.
Taking care of Pets
- Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
- Keep adequate food and water available.
- It's important to remember that a pet's age, breed, or illness may affect how they tolerate the cold winter months. The Houston SPCA advises that it is best that all pets live indoors due to these unpredictable weather conditions.
| Check out our winter pet safety flyer for additional tips. |
Taking care of Pipes
- There's no need to drip inside faucets during freezing weather (it will not adversely affect city water pressure if residents choose to do so), though there’s benefit to keeping cabinets open to expose pipes to warm air (as long as there’s nothing harmful inside that’s accessible to small children or pets).
- Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain, and store in a protected area.
- If you have a pool, besides keeping the pump running, make sure all the valves are open as well.
- Disconnect and drain your irrigation system.
- Wrap all your outside water pipes: faucets, main water pipes, sprinkler vacuum breaker, etc.
- You can purchase covers for these at your local hardware store. One can also wrap with towels and blankets to make sure pipes are not exposed.
- Drain and turn off your main valve to sprinkler vacuum breaker – then cover them.
- Open closet doors also in case you have plumbing in the walls or ceiling.
- Turn your thermostats hotter during the cold to help heat the home better.
Taking care of Plants
- Know which plants need to be protected and which can withstand the cold
- 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.
- If there is sleet or snow that collects, dust it off as soon as it is safe.
- Bring potted plants inside or store in the garage, near an interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
Preparing your house for freezing temperatures
- Wrap your exposed outdoor faucets & hose bibs.
- Locate the main water line shut off valve for your home so you can shut it off in an emergency situation.
- Winterize your irrigation system.
- Check your home heat sources for safety concerns.
- Prepare an indoor space for your pets.
- Wrap your outdoor plants or bring them indoors.
Need help locating your main shut off valve? Call 311 or 281-275-2900 and a public works team member will help you locate.
Home Safety
- Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer.
- Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
- Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
- Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide related deaths are highest during colder months.
- Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
Heater/Generator Safety Tips
- Keep the generator at least 20 feet from your home when in use.
- Keep the generator exhaust pointed away from your home.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
- Keep space heaters out of high-traffic areas and doorways.
- Avoid leaving space heaters unattended, especially for long periods of time.
- Do not plug space heaters into extension cords of power strips.
- Keep space heaters 3 feet away from flammable objects, like papers and curtains.
Portable Space Heater Safety
Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. If not used properly, they can cause fires, severe injuries, and death. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm.
- 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.
Protecting your Sprinkler System Breaker
Shuting Off your Main Water Valve
What to do if your pipes freeze
- Turn off the main water to your home
- Open all interior faucets
- Wait for the temperature outside to rise above freezing
- Keep a close eye out for leaks as frozen pipes often expand, crack and leak
If a pipe bursts
- Locate and shut off water at the main valve
- If main valve cannot be located, call 311 or 281-275-2900 and the city's utility staff will come and turn off water at the meter
- Call a plumber