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Prepare Before Severe Winter Weather Strikes

Don’t wait for an emergency or power outage; make a family emergency plan now. If you have medical equipment that requires electricity or medicines that need refrigeration, check with your doctor when making your plan. 

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Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Discuss, as a family, and ensure everyone knows and understands how you will reconnect. You can find more plan ideas at ready.gov/plan.

• County Emergency Management - in Collin County you can register with the County Emergency Management, Citizen Alert Notification and receive important notifications for weather, fires and other issues as well as note any special needs in your household. This special needs information is used during an emergency by the County to do 'well-being checks' and ensure that you are okay. You can also receive weather alerts at Signup For ONCOR Alerts. If you're not a Collin County resident check with your local county Emergency Management and see how they address special needs of citizens. See the actions ONCOR takes to prepare for winter weather at ONCOR Prepares for Winter Weather.
• Create an Emergency Kit -  for your family. Be sure to include in your emergency kit flashlights and spare batteries, candles (for light and warmth), water, medicines, canned or 'shelf-stable' foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. Ready.gov/kit is a good source for emergency kit information and supply lists. Be sure to include your pets: adequate food, water and medicines.
• Collect & Secure Vital Documents - review your property insurance coverage. Collect insurance and other vital documents and store them in a secure, accessible location preferably in a water proof package - ziplock bags work well. Vital records include deed, promissory note on house (to prove ownership), birth certificates, passports, bank account records and statements, last years tax return, marriage license, automobile registration and title. Depending on the size and type of disaster you may have to prove your residency in order to return to your property if you are forced to leave.

• Portable Generator Precautions - Avoid using a generator during power outages unless you are sure it is installed safely and correctly. Find generator safety tips at Generator Safety Tips. Never use a generator, camp stove, charcoal grill, gasoline heater, or propane heater indoors. These items can accidentally start, cause electric shock, and any combustion heater wll produce deadly carbon monoxide gas - a silent killer that is odorless, colorless and combustible. Do not use a generator in the garage! 
• Emergency Plan - once your plan is complete you should share it with a couple of trusted friends or relatives that are well outside the 'impacted' area, one preferably out-of-state, so that in the event of an emergency you can let them know you're activating your plan. If you have to leave your home (evacuate for any reason) leave a note where you are going and alert the people that have your emergency plan you are evacuating, why, your route, destination and estimated arrival time (ETA). This is important so they can find you and get help to you if you need it. Contact them when you arrive or your plans change.

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What To Do During a Winter Storm

• Check On Your Neighbors - especially the elderly. They may not have family nearby to look out for them. Don't just use NEXTDOOR and other social media - go to their home and make sure they're prepared and safe. If not help them to get to a community shelter where they will be safe from the frigid temperatures. If you do take them to a shelter help them make sure that their water is shutoff and faucets are open to drain water from the pipes to minimize damage to their home - BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR!! If cold is extreme, and you have no heat you should go to a friend or relatives or as a last resort to a designated community shelter if you can safely do so. Stay indoors and off the roads when possible. 
• Pipe Freezing Precautions - if the temperatures are below freezing and you have lost heat due to power failure or other issue it is recommended that you shut off the water at the main shutoff valve that is in a covered vault near the street. This may require a special tool that can be purchased at a home maintenance or hardware store. With the main water supply shutoff open the faucet valves in kitchen, bathroom and hose bibs. Allow the pipes to drain down so that any water that may freeze in the pipes will not cause the pipe to burst. Once power is restored you can open the main valve and then close the faucets one by one as they push out any air in the lines. If water has frozen in the lines it may create a temporary blockage and take some time to thaw out.
• Outdoor Precautions & Dangers - be extra cautious when outdoors in cold weather. Downed power lines can be hidden by snow, trees, or other debris. Always assume a downed power line is live. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call us immediately at 888.313.4747, 24/7. 
• Monitor Communications - monitor available channels for emergency communications. Conserve energy - your energy as well energy in cellphones, radios and battery operated televisions. Use battery operated equipment sparingly and always keep a backup battery system fully-charged if possible. If you have multiple mobile phones in the household, keep one phone on for emergency updates and turn the others off to preserve battery life. Conserve power on your mobile phone in case of emergency. Some battery-saving tips include: turning down the screen light, turning off Bluetooth and WiFi (no power, no WiFi) and closing unused applications. Fully charge all electronic devices and auxiliary battery chargers. 
• Conserve Heat, Food & Energy - close off unneeded rooms to consolidate and retain heat, put towels under the all doors to stop drafts. Unplug unnecessary electric appliances and electronics. Use surge protectors to protect electronic equipment and small appliances that must remain plugged in.  Keep freezers and refrigerators closed when your power is out. Stay warm by dressing in layers of loose-fitting clothing instead of a single heavy layer. If it is frigid cold select an interiior closet and move into it with bedding and blankets. The smaller volume will help tretain your heat and the area will be warmer than a larger open room. Keep your pets with you as they need your body heat as much as you need theirs.
  
• Use can track power outage details, report an outage, and view outage tips at ONCOR Storm Center & Outage Map. You can also report outages by calling 888.313.4747, 24/7.

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Recovering After a Winter Storm

• Cautions During Power & Gas Service Restoration - confirm that power is on to your home and then double check your electrical breaker panel for any tripped or open breakers - turn on any tripped breaker (close) waiting a few seconds in between. Turn on water and check for leaks, especially if piping runs in the attic. Turn off gas at all appliances (water heater, stove, and furnace) and then turn on main gas line. Turn on appliances individually and make sure the pilot lights properly - if not you may have to manually light the pilot light. If you cannot relight the pilot turn off the gas at the appliance and call a repairman.
• Do a Check for External Damage - Check your home for damage to ensure your location is safe - particularly important following a major windstorm. 
• Drive Only If Necessary - keep the roads clear for emergency personnel and restoration crews.
• Review & Upsate Your Emergency Plan - Review your family emergency plan to determine what you can do better next time. Restock necessary supplies used during the storm.

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Additional tips and actions to keep you and your family safe

• Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - install in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly; replace batteries in both yearly on a routine schedule whether needed or not.
• Check Your Natural Gas Appliances - a yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem and should be checked by a qualified technician. Never Use Kitchen Stove or Oven As a Space Heater!
• HVAC System Mainteance at Least Annually - have your central heating & cooling system inspected annually by a licensed professional.
• Have a Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher in the Kitchen - make sure it is current and fully charged and that all adults and teenagers know how to use it properly.
• Flammable Liquids -  keep flammable liquids and aerosal spray cans at least three feet from heating equipment or open flames such as fireplace, gas stove or cooktop.
• Space Heater Safety - turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room and before you go to bed. Never place anything on top of a space heater and keep them at least 3' from drapes and curtains. Purchase heaters with a tip switch, which turns the heater off if it is knocked over.

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