COLD WEATHER - Be SAFE WATCH CO2 Thanks Efamily Member Judith Elam for Sharing!

 Tips to stay safe and warm in extreme cold | Keeping you informed.

In the coming days, Houstonians will be experiencing extremely cold temperatures. At CenterPoint Energy, safety is our number-one priority, so we are offering these tips to ensure a safe and warm home: Electric High winds and ice could cause downed power lines in isolated areas. Always assume downed lines or wires are energized and potentially dangerous if contacted. Do not go near downed lines or fallen wires. Keep your distance from objects touching downed lines (tree limbs, vehicles, fences, etc.). If someone already made contact with a power line, do not try to rescue them – you can’t help if you become a victim. Instead, call 911. Report downed power lines to 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143. Natural Gas Make sure your heating system is working properly. Malfunctioning home heating equipment can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check that outside furnace vents aren’t blocked by snow or ice. Keep your furnace filter clean for safe, efficient operation. Use space heaters safely. Use a space heater with an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away. A space heater that uses gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating. Check your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms. These devices are essential to warn you of a fire or dangerous malfunction with a furnace, water heater, fireplace or stove. Test your alarms monthly and change batteries every year. Immediately report a suspected gas leak. If you smell the “rotten egg” odor of natural gas,immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 713-659-2111 or 800-752-8036. Don’t use electric switches, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car, or do anything that could cause a spark. Energy Efficiency Cold temperatures also mean increased energy usage. CenterPoint Energy recommends the following tips for more efficient heating: Furnace: A furnace is the largest natural gas consuming appliance. Set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees. If possible, set it at 65 degrees when you are home and 60 degrees when you are away from home. Lowering your thermostat can help you save on your annual heating costs. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you automatically control your heat usage. Add on extra layers of clothing to keep warm. Other appliances: Although they consume less natural gas, you can still maximize their efficiency. Run your washing machine, dish washer and gas dryer only with full loads. Make your home more airtight and keep cold air outside: Seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping. The most common places where air escapes in homes are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents and electrical outlets. Discover even more energy saving tips to help you save energy. For the latest information on power outages: Sign up for Power Alert Service  for information on individual outages; Follow @cnpalerts and visit Outage Tracker for general outage locations; and Visit CenterPointEnergy’s Storm Center for more electric and natural gas safetytips and other resources.