Cold weather tips and resources

As extreme cold temperatures move into our area, it’s essential to prepare your home, family, and pets to stay safe and warm. San Bernard EC is ready for the coming weather and has taken proactive steps to winterize our infrastructure and strengthen our cold-weather response plan. Below, you’ll find practical tips and resources to help you prepare and stay safe during this cold snap.

Outage reporting and alerts:

SBEC has a variety of ways to communicate with our members during a storm. To learn more and to report an outage, please visit our website: https://www.sbec.org/reporting-outage

How to prepare for extreme cold

Stay ahead of the freezing temperatures with these essential preparation tips. Visit our efficiency tips here: https://bit.ly/SBECtips

Stay safe during winter weather:

• Charge cell phones and stock your emergency kit: Include food, water, blankets, batteries, chargers and other essential items.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
• Stay off roads: Avoid travel if at all possible. If trapped in your car, stay inside to stay safe. Check road conditions at DriveTexas.org

Limit time outside:

• Wear layers of warm clothing if you must go outside.
• Watch for signs of frostbite (numbness, white or grayish skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, slurred speech).
• Avoid overexertion: Reduce the risk of a heart attack by taking it easy when shoveling ice/snow or walking in icy conditions.
• Find warming shelters near you through Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)

Safety reminders

Your safety is our priority. Follow these guidelines during winter weather events:

• Downed power lines: Stay at least 35 feet away and report them to 800-364-3171. Treat all downed lines as energized.
• Portable generators: Only use in well-ventilated areas and never indoors or in garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Space heaters: Use heaters with automatic shut-off features. Keep them three feet away from flammable items and never leave them unattended.
• Preserve food: Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed to maintain food freshness during outages.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning: Symptoms include headaches, dizziness and nausea. If suspected, move to fresh air immediately and call 911.

To stay warm during a power outage in cold weather:

• Dress in layers: Wear multiple layers of light clothing instead of one heavy layer, including hats and mittens.
• Insulate your home: Close curtains, blinds and cover windows with blankets to minimize heat loss. Avoid opening doors to keep the warm air in.
• Stay in one room: Gather everyone in a single room with the door closed to maintain body heat.
• Use alternative heat sources: If possible, use a fireplace, wood-burning stove or a portable propane heater with proper ventilation. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: Never use gas grills, charcoal or propane heaters indoors.

A home can generally stay warm for around eight to 12 hours after losing power, depending on the weather conditions and how well insulated your house is insulated. If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay during extreme cold weather, visit tdem.texas.gov/warm