Winter is right around the corner, and the southwest division of Colorado 811 released a series of tips to help residents in La Plata County prepare their homes for the frigid months ahead:
Insulate walls and attics; caulk and weather-strip doors and windows; install storm windows or cover windows with plastic and apply heat-tape to unprotected water lines to keep them from freezing.Clear debris from rain gutters and downspouts of homes and exterior shelters, and ensure they are securely fastened to prevent damage from snow and ice. Also ensure downspouts extend at least five feet away from structures to prevent foundations from flooding as snow melts during warmer days and in the spring.Repair leaks in roofs; check for damaged shingles and deteriorated flashing around chimneys, skylights and vent pipes; seal joints in places where water would be able to penetrate; ensure roof vents and openings are covered to prevent insects, birds, rodents, etc., from entering homes.Conduct annual chimney inspections to ensure they are clean of soot and creosote; eliminate fire hazards; and check for drafts and warped, worn or rusted dampers that could cause leaks and high heating costs.Clean and replace filters in furnaces and humidifiers to improve air quality and circulation; remove or cover window-mounted air conditioning units to prevent drafts; and reverse fans to rotate clockwise to circulate warm air toward the floor.Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries. The likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning increases when doors and windows are closed, and fireplaces, gas heaters and other fuel-burning appliances are in use during the winter.Call Durango Water and Sewer Departments during business hours to have water turned off at the meter before spending extended time away from the home.Before road trips or commutes, visit www.cotrip.org for updates about conditions, travel alerts, weather information and road work.La Plata Electric Association also suggests several tips to follow when storms are forecast. LPEA recommends residents:
Charge mobile phones, tablets and laptops; keep a corded phone connected to a land-line available; ensure batteries for LED (recommended) lanterns and flashlights are fresh; ensure a radio tuned to local news is available, with fresh batteries; have backup candles and matches ready in case an electricity outage occurs; and ensure a first-aid kit is handy.Keep a three- or four-day supply of water and nonperishable food, with a manual can opener, for people and pets in the household.Stock homes with prescription medications and gasoline for snow-blowers and generators.Be in contact and work together with neighbors.Be aware of fluctuating temperatures during winter. Warmer storms bring heavy, wet snow that can collapse trees and branches onto power lines, causing outages. Residents are urged to stay away from affected power lines and contact LPEA immediately. Colder temperatures can cause pipes to freeze or break. Residents should, during cold spells, allow faucets to drip to prevent pipes from freezing; ensure fuel-burning equipment vented to the outside is clear from snow and ice; and know where and how to shut off water valves in case pipes freeze.When outside removing snow with shovels or plows, be aware of electric equipment, such as poles, wires, transformers, junction-boxes, etc., gas meters, water meters, phone pedestals and other equipment that may be covered by snow.Clear snow from around fire hydrants; residents should clear a 3-foot radius to ensure access, according to Durango Fire Protection District.Icicles and ice dams often indicate a lack of insulation; hot air will rise into the attic and cause water to drip off the roof, instead of remaining inside the home.Ensure pets are brought indoors and livestock have access to food and unfrozen water.Important phone numbers to have this winter include: La Plata County Sheriff's Office and Durango Police Department dispatch, 385-2900; Bayfield Marshals Office, 884-9544; La Plata Electric Association, 247-5786; Atmos Energy, 385-3284 (during weekday business hours), 1-888-286-6700 (24-hour customer service); Durango Water and Sewer Department, 375-4801.
Call 911 in emergencies.
For more information, call or email April Ralph at (719) 221-2391 or aprout-ralph@co811.org.
fstone@durangoherald.com
