Author: Cinco MUD 8

Protecting the Four P’s: Essential Tips for Dealing with Texas Winter Weather

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected across Texas. In such conditions, it is imperative to protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.

People:

  • Keep warm and stay inside, if possible.
  • If you need to go outside, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid over exertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets:

  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes:

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, then drain and store in a protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawlspaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants:

  • Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.

As it pertains to the dripping of faucets, we are asking and advising our residents and customers NOT to drip their faucets. This could cause a dip in water pressure at your facility. If you reside within the greater Houston area and are part of the Regional Water Authorities (West Harris County Regional Water Authority, North Fort Bend Regional Water Authority, North Harris County Regional Water Authority), or receive water from the City of Houston, dripping faucets will put a strain on the system resulting in low pressure or even depleting the water system.

Where you can learn more and stay updated:

Proactive Protection: How to Secure Your Vehicle and Deter Theft

Security Reminder:

  • Please lock your vehicles. Most thefts from vehicles are through unlocked doors. It takes seconds to break a window but doing so makes noise – and criminals hate noise. You also want to make sure that all windows are rolled up before locking your vehicle. Also, if you have a car alarm, please make sure it is working properly – and use it!
  • Hide valuables from site. Even better, take all items of value with you. If a criminal doesn’t see anything, they’re less likely to break in to your vehicle and will proceed to the next vehicle to “window shop.” Remember to hide valuables before parking and leaving your vehicle. Give a would-be thief absolutely no reason to burglarize your car.
  • Take your keys. Unfortunately, it is still common practice for individuals to leave their keys in their car and/or in the ignition when unattended.

There is no 100% fool-proof way to prevent all crime. You can make yourself less likely to be a victim of motor vehicle burglary by following the above practices and using common sense. Simply locking your vehicle and removing property is half the battle.