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Louisiana winter storm: Preparing your house and pipes, and other safety tips

Officials recommend you keep faucets dripping to prevent frozen pipes during cold weather.
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Officials recommend you keep faucets dripping to prevent frozen pipes during cold weather.

South Louisiana residents are being told to shelter indoors as a blistering cold front sweeps the state with freezing temperatures and snow.

The area is bracing for 4 to 6 inches of snow, with freezing temperatures and wind chills expected through Thursday.

“This creates a very dangerous situation, not only for travel, but for people, pipes, pets, and plants,” Gov. Jeff Landry said at a press conference Monday.

Landry and State Climatologist Jay Grymes urged people to protect their pipes from freezing and take other precautions to keep their homes and families safe.

When severely cold weather is coming, there are a number of steps you can take to prepare, from having a plan in place in the event of a power outage, and dripping faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. You should also take caution when heating your home. And don’t forget to check on older adults, people with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness. In an emergency, call 911.

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind.


Keep your home safe

The governor warned residents to not use gas or electric stoves or ovens to heat their homes.

“A gas oven can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Electric ovens are not designed to heat your home. Both of them increase the likelihood of fire,” Landry said.

He also recommended checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure the batteries are charged and they’re functioning properly.

The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal recommends following these rules when using a space heater:

  • Place your space heater 3-5 feet away from bedding. 
  • Plug heaters directly into the wall. 
  • Never leave space heaters unattended.

You should also make sure your fireplace is functioning properly before using it to heat your home.

To avoid frozen and burst pipes, the American Red Cross recommends you:

  • Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed.
  • Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
  • Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces.
  • Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas.
  • Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation.
  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • Let water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe–even at a trickle–helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

To thaw frozen pipes, you'll need to:

  • Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
  • Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
  • Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
  • Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Staying safe and warm

Avoid staying out in the cold and getting wet, as moisture exposure can lead to hypothermia. If you must be outside, stay dry and try taking breaks in warm spaces.

The National Weather Service recommends wearing layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, and a hat. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.

Cover your mouth to protect your lungs, and cover exposed skin to protect yourself from frostbite.

Watch for signs of hypothermia, including:

  • uncontrollable shivering
  • memory loss
  • disorientation
  • slurred speech
  • drowsiness, and
  • apparent exhaustion.

Be sure to check on older family and neighbors and make sure they have enough heat and food. Help your pets stay safe by keeping them indoors.


Warming centers 

City and parish officials have started opening warming shelters around Louisiana to help residents seek shelter from the cold. Here’s where you can find a center near you. 


Lose power? 

Entergy has 1,600 workers on standby to help with restoration efforts, but customers should anticipate slower restoration times due to icy road conditions and other pickup challenges.

If the power goes out, make sure you have items like batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, medicine, blankets, and bottled water on hand. Unplug your appliances and leave just one lamp plugged in to avoid damage from a power surge once the power is restored. Try to keep your refrigerator doors closed as much as possible to preserve food.

To report a power outage, call all 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) or text OUT to 36778. You can also report outages on Entergy’s mobile app or online at myEntergy.com.

DEMCO co-op members are being asked to reduce energy usage during the storm to help maintain grid stability.

To help alleviate grid stress, DEMCO suggests members:

  • Set thermostats to 68°F or lower.
  • Run heating systems sparingly and bundle up with warm layers, fuzzy socks, and cozy blankets instead.
  • Shift appliance use to low-demand hours, before 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
  • Avoid using multiple high-demand appliances simultaneously, such as ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.
  • Turn off lights and electronics when not in use to save energy throughout the day.
  • Power down electronics such as gaming devices and computers when not in use.
  • Run dishwashers and dryers only when full to maximize efficiency.
  • Wash clothes in cold water to reduce heating demand.
  • Take advantage of natural sunlight by opening curtains during the day to let in warmth and closing them at night to retain heat.
  • Seal drafts by using blankets or towels around windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out.

“Every member's efforts contribute to the collective strength of our cooperative; by making these small changes, we can help keep the grid stable and power flowing during this winter freeze,” says Hawes.

Athina is a digital content producer for WWNO in New Orleans and WRKF in Baton Rouge. She edits and produces content for the stations' websites and social media pages, and writes WWNO's weekly newsletter.