The City of Austin encourages you to prepare for winter weather. Don’t wait for extreme cold, get ready now!

Protect the 4 P’s for winter weather safety: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

• People - Before going outside, dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold. While heating your home, do not use a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, or charcoal-burning device indoors because they generate deadly carbon monoxide gas.
• Pets - Bring your pets inside to keep them warm and safe.
• Pipes - Insulate or cover exposed pipes to protect them from freezing, turn off outside faucets, drip ONE faucet inside your home, if needed.
• Plants – Cover your plants or bring them in.

Stay informed and get prepared before the frigid temperatures:

• Download the Ready Central Texas mobile application for Apple or Android devices to get alerts and a digital copy of the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide.
• Sign up at WarnCentralTexas.org to receive alerts for your neighborhood, letting you know when to take immediate action to stay safe.
• In an emergency, follow www.austintexas.gov/alerts to get up to date emergency information in multiple languages.
• Follow @AustinHSEM on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.

Make a Plan: Before an emergency, sit down with your family to plan out what you may need to shelter at home or what you need if you have to evacuate. Use the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide to help you get started.

Build a Kit: Once you know your plan and have your supply list, build a kit of needed emergency supplies in a go-bag so it can be accessed quickly. Include items like medication, pet supplies, and use a check list to help get started.

Know Your Neighbors: In an emergency, your neighbors are the closest resource and can often be the fastest to respond. Making friends with your neighbors can also have more benefits than just during an emergency.

Additional Resources: You can find the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide and additional preparedness information to help keep you safe this winter at ReadyCentralTexas.org.