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Jan. 24, 2025
From winter storms to polar vortexes, winter has roared into our region. These tips will help you stay ahead of Mother Nature during this unpredictable season. Stay warm and safe, DMV!
- Before heading outside, protect yourself by dressing in warm layers and staying aware of your time in the cold. The Mayo Clinic offers these guides to preventing, recognizing symptoms, and treating hypothermia and frostbite. The National Safety Council provides a safety guide to help avoid the health risks of shoveling snow.
- Do you smell rotten eggs odor (mercaptan) or hear hissing near gas lines or appliances? You may have a gas leak. Go immediately to a safe location, call 911, and then contact your gas provider or emergency services for assistance. The Washington Gas emergency line is 844-WASHGAS. Learn more about natural gas safety.
Scan your property and nearby areas for downed or sagging power lines. Please do not attempt to move or touch them! Stay at least 35’ away and report issues immediately to your utility provider. The Electrical Safety Foundation International explains how to respond to downed power lines.
Pepco, (877) 737-2662
BG&E, (877) 778-2222
Dominion Energy (866) 366-435
- If it’s too cold for your family and friends to be outside, it’s probably too cold for your pets. Just as hot summer cars can create emergencies for animals left inside, unheated vehicles can become dangerously cold. The ASPCA has prepared a winter safety list especially for pets.
- After winter weather passes through, check for visible damage to the roof, siding, windows, and outdoor equipment like HVAC units or gas meters. Look for loose shingles, cracks, or signs of impact from falling debris. FEMA offers winter storm tips for preparing and dealing with weather aftermath.
- Inspect your roof for ice dams—a buildup at the edges that could cause water to back up and leak into your home. Please consult a professional to remove them safely. The National Weather Service speaks extensively about how to prevent roof ice dams.
- Clear snow and ice from vents, exhaust pipes, and chimneys to avoid blockages. The U.S. Fire Administration gives detailed guidance on how to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Inspect gutters and downspouts and remove as much ice, snow, or debris as possible. Proper drainage helps prevent ice dams and water damage as snow melts.
- Check all exposed pipes, especially in unheated areas like basements or attics, for cracks or leaks caused by recent freezing temperatures. Test your water by turning on faucets in every room to ensure water flows normally. Weak, erratic flow may indicate a frozen or burst pipe. The Red Cross explains how to prevent pipes from freezing and advises how to thaw them if they do.
- Replenish emergency supplies, including batteries, non-perishable food, water, and fuel for heating sources or generators. Build a kit for your family using the Ready.gov Emergency Supply List. This is also a good time to review your emergency preparedness plan and get tips from the CDC’s Winter Emergency Guide.
- If you used a generator during the storm, make sure it’s properly turned off properly, drained, cleaned, and refueled as needed. OSHA offers a full guide on portable generator safety.
- If your home has a sump pump, make sure it’s working correctly by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. This helps verify that it can handle melting snow and prevent basement flooding. Removing snow and ice around your home’s foundation, basement windows, gutters, and outdoor drains also helps stop water from pooling or seeping inside as it melts.
- Use weather-stripping or caulk to seal drafts around windows and doors that may have worsened due to the storm. The Department of Energy offers a comprehensive guide to detecting leaks and weather-stripping tips.
- Power surges can affect sensitive devices. Reset items such as your thermostat, appliances, and fire alarm systems so they function normally. FEMA offers a practical process for restarting appliances after an outage.