Tis the season for cooler temperatures.

Here are a few quick and easy things that you can do now to winterize your home:

• Insulate hot and cold pipes that are located in unheated areas in your home such as the garage, crawl space, or attic.
• Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to allow pipes behind walls and under floors to get additional heat from inside your house.
• Disconnect and drain hoses from outside faucets and turn them off if they have their own shutoff valve. This type of shut off valve is typically located in the basement or crawl space. If your home does have an outdoor faucet shut off valve, be sure to empty the water lines to your faucets by turning on each outdoor faucet after you’ve closed the shut off valve. If your home does not have a separate shutoff valve for outside faucets, then you’ll need to insulate each spigot with a foam cap or wrap it with another insulating material such as newspaper. 
• Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems and backflow assembly devices. Wrap backflow devices with insulating material.
• Cover foundation vents with foam blocks, thickly folded newspaper, or cardboard.
• When temperatures dip below freezing, temporarily turn on your faucet located furthest from your water meter so that it has a slow and steady drip - this will keep water moving and make it less likely to freeze in your pipes.
• Know where your emergency water shut off valve is located and how to turn it off. If a pipe bursts inside your home, this valve will turn the water off. Be sure to share this information with other members of your household. (Most shut-off valves are located in the crawl space, basement, garage, or outside the house near the foundation.) 

The city offers a free sandbag station in the parking lot of the Tigard Public Works Building (8777 SW Burnham Street.) The self-service station is stocked with sand and sandbags and can be accessed at any time.

Shovels may not be available, so please bring your own. Sand is to be used for emergency purposes only. Citizens are welcome to return the full sandbags, used or not. Please return them directly to the sandbag station on the west end of the parking lot.

If you’re not prepared, don’t drive. When drivers don’t take the proper precautions, they create hazardous conditions for other drivers and pedestrians.

The Police Department may issue tickets for abandoned vehicles during snow events. In prior years, drivers have left their cars blocking roads and freeways, creating unsafe road conditions for other travelers. These obstructions also make it difficult for the city’s snowplows to clear some streets.

To prepare for driving in the snow and ice, the Tigard Police Traffic Safety Unit  recommends the following tips: 

• Clear windshields and the rest of your vehicle before you drive anywhere, so snow and ice do not fly off your car onto other vehicles, creating hazards.
• Use chains, snow socks or snow tires.
• Take public transportation or ride with someone whose car is equipped for the snow.
• Travel at the speed recommended for chains. If you don’t, the chains may break.
• Go slow and steady. Budget enough time to get to your destination at a safe speed. Officers will cite drivers for going faster than is safe for road conditions even if you are driving under the speed limit. 
• Increase your following distance behind other vehicles to allow more room to react.
• Slow down well before you need to stop to avoid abruptly braking and potentially skidding.
• Be careful about reduced visibility due to heavy rain, snow or darkness during commute hours. Many pedestrians aren’t visible because they are wearing dark clothing.
• Bring an emergency kit with warm clothes, food and water in case you get stuck. Fill up your gas tank before a snowstorm.

Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, stay inside.

Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.

Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment right away. Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.

Turning off water at the meter

Before thawing or repairing plumbing lines, make sure the water is turned off at the meter. You may have a valve in your basement or garage. If not, the city’s water meter and shut off valve are both located inside the meter box near the road. Here are detailed instructions to shut off your water at the meter box, including a video.

Thawing frozen pipes

To thaw plumbing lines safely, use a hair dryer on a low setting. NEVER thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame. Remember to leave a little water on once the pipe has thawed so that it doesn’t refreeze.

Repairing broken water pipe(s)

If your burst pipe is located in or around your home, then it is your responsibility to repair the pipe. If the break is at the street, contact Public Works to repair it.

Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.

Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full.

Learn the signs of and basic treatments for frostbite and hypothermia. Visit the CDC for information about how to avoid, spot, and treat frostbite and hypothermia. 

Winter Weather Shelters provide emergency shelter during cold weather events. If you are seeking shelter, please go to one of the locations below. No one will be turned away. 

The Salvation Army Building - 1440 SE 21st Avenue, Hillsboro | TriMet Route 57

Beaverton Community Center - 12350 SW 5th Street, Beaverton | TriMet Routes 52, 76, and 78

Hot meals are provided for guests, no one will be turned away, and pets are ok. Pet owners should be prepared to work with shelter staff on each location's individual pet policies. Please call 503-846-4722 if you need transportation. 24/7 availability. 

Learn more about the Winter Shelter Program.