Winter Weather Safety Tips

With cold temperatures, it is important to remember home heating safety tips.

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heating equipment such as a furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or space heater.
• Never use the oven to warm a room.
• Use the proper fuel designed for your fuel-burning space heater.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Generator Safety Information

The City of Beaumont Water Utilities Department advises that residents with broken water pipes that a located on the residents side of the meter, should turn off their water at the meter and make arrangements for repairs.

If you need assistance turning off your meter, you are asked to call 3-1-1.

• Disconnect outside water hoses. If left connected during freezing temperatures, the water in hoses will freeze and expand causing connecting faucets and pipes to freeze and break.
• Protect and Insulate exposed pipes, faucets, and exposed pipes in unheated areas. Use foam padding sleeves or special insulating tape to guard your pipes. Even a small unprotected area can freeze and cause problems. Don't forget to check all irrigation devices, backflow prevention devices, pool pumps, and unprotected fire sprinkler lines.
• If possible, open cabinet doors along exterior walls to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall.
• Meter boxes should have a properly fitting lid. If there is a problem,
• Call City of Beaumont City Utilities at 311 if you have no water at all or to report a water line leak.

In the case of freezing temperatures and precipitation, there is a possibility some bridges, overpasses and roadways may freeze over. Motorist should exercise extreme caution while driving in these conditions.

• Remain indoors if possible. If you must go out, dress to fit the weather, with layered, wind-resistant clothing, a hat, and gloves or mittens to protect yourself against frostbite.
• If you must perform work outside, take frequent breaks to warm up and avoid overexertion.
• Have emergency heating equipment approved for indoor use and appropriate fuel for it. Emergency heating equipment includes kerosene or propane heaters and wood stoves. Carbon Monoxide kits can be purchased at local retailers.
• Have emergency lighting in case the power goes out: flashlights or lanterns with a supply of batteries or fuel. Make sure you top off the gas tank in your car.
• Keep an emergency supply of ready-to-eat non-perishable food and an emergency supply of water on hand.
• Listen to your radio or TV to obtain weather and emergency information like business, school and government office closures.. Have a battery-powered radio with spare batteries in case your electricity goes off.
• Travel only if absolutely necessary. If you must travel, do so in daylight.
  • Have emergency supplies in your vehicle.
  • Dress warmly and bring items like blankets, water, and snacks in case you become stranded.
  • Have a vehicle emergency kit in your car. They usually include jumper cables, flares, and first aid kit. Most retailers carry them.
• Have a full charged cell phone with you so you can call for help if needed.
• Slow down. In some cases ice on the roadways is not visible. This is commonly called "Black Ice". You can lose control in these conditions. The slower you go the easier it will be to maintain control of your vehicle.