Tips for Winter Preparedness

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works has been providing simple hints for winter preparedness, including:

• Always keep on hand a three day supply of bottled water; one gallon per person per day.
• Let a thin stream of cold water run from a basement faucet. The stream should be a continuous flow, about the thickness of a pencil lead. This water can be caught in a bucket and used later as laundry or dish water.
• If your pipe is frozen, gently warm it with hot air from a blow dryer at the point where it enters your house.
• Be sure you know the location of the water shutoff valve in your home. Check it periodically to ensure it works properly.
• Be sure to shut off water to outside faucets.
• Periodically monitor your sump pump. A frozen drain pipe could result in a flooded basement.
• Insulate pipes in unheated parts of your house. Be especially alert if you have had frozen pipes in the past.