Simple Steps Can Ensure Home-Heating Safety and Avoid Frozen Pipes
INDIANAPOLIS – With temperatures expected to fall below zero again over the next two days, Citizens Energy Group urges customers to take these simple steps to safeguard their homes.
Safely Heat Your Home
- If you’re having trouble paying your bill, please call Connect2Help at 211 to discuss sources of financial assistance.
- If you're using a space heater, keep it away from flammable items such as furniture and draperies. Avoid using fuel-burning space heaters indoors as they can create deadly carbon monoxide.
- Everyone should have a working smoke alarm on each level of their home and at least one carbon monoxide alarm in their home. Batteries should be checked monthly.
Avoid Frozen Pipes
- Leave a stream of water trickling in at least one sink in your home.
- Insulate pipes that may be exposed to cold air.
- Open cabinet doors below sinks to keep warm air circulating around pipes.
- Make sure the lid on your water meter pit is tightly secured.
- Locate your water shut-off valve, so you know how to turn water off quickly in case a pipe bursts.
To ensure community safety, Citizens is partnering with area fire departments. Each year when temperatures drop below freezing, a Citizens technician responds to working fires and ensures fire hydrants are operating properly. If a fire hydrant is frozen or malfunctioning, a Citizens technician is able to make necessary repairs quickly. Citizens takes a proactive approach to safety by testing all 37,000 fire hydrants in the water distribution system throughout the year. Non-working hydrants are repaired or replaced.
In addition, Citizens is prepared for a potential increase in water main breaks. Crews are ready 24/7 to respond in the event freezing temperatures cause water mains to break. To report a water main break, customers are asked to call Citizens at 317-924-3311.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.
Media Contact Information
Laura O'Brien
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com