Preparing for the New Year and cold winter weather

Southlake will be ringing in the New Year with colder temperatures. Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the 20’s with wind chills in the teens on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

There is a 20 percent chance of winter weather precipitation as well. If winter weather does occur it is forecast to be light and mostly on elevated surfaces.

With winter just starting, here are a few tips to keep in mind to help prepare for the colder weather.

Driving

• If you must travel, choose your route wisely. Avoid known steep hills or inclines.
• Make sure your vehicle is ready to travel. Check fuel, coolant level, and tire pressure.
• Slow down and allow plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoid making sharp turns or braking suddenly.
• If your vehicle starts to skid, gently steer in the direction of the skid to regain control.
• From a stop, accelerate slowly to get better traction.
• Sand, kitty litter or cardboard can help you regain traction if you get stuck.
• Do not pass sanding vehicles.
• Be sure to have blankets, water, jumper cables, a flashlight, and tow rope in case you get stranded.

Pipes:

• During cold weather, pipes may freeze, causing water leaks and damage to your home. Protect your home by opening the cabinets under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow air from your home’s heater to warm the pipes under the sink.
• Let faucets drip – moving water freezes slower than still water.
• Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation or newspaper, and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.
• Winterize all irrigation systems.

Plants:

• Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
• Be sure to group plants that are in containers together, and near your home. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leaves survive.

Pets

• Make sure pets have a warm dry place to stay.
• Give them plenty of water and food.

Stay up-to-date with winter weather in Southlake by following Southlake Emergency Management on Southlake DPS Facebook and Twitter.