Winter Weather Safety Advice

Safeguarding Your Home

In addition to the energy efficiency tips to manage your bill, it’s also important to safeguard your home during freezing temperatures.

• Run off any outdoor irrigation systems and disconnect garden houses.

• Ensure outdoor and exposed pipes are insulated both outside and in  attics, crawl spaces and under cabinets.

• Wrap pipes with insulation sleeves, pool noodles, or fabric to protect them from frigid air and ice.

• When in doubt, contact a license plumber or other  licensed professional. 

• Protect your pipes.

• If you are riding out freezing temperatures at home, set your faucets to a slow trickle . 

• If you are planning to be away from your home for an extended period during the cold weather, consider draining your pipes. Home improvement series, ‘This Old House’,  has a very useful video on the process. 

• When in doubt, contact a license plumber or other  licensed professional.

Stay Safe When Going Outside

While it is best to avoid prolonged exposure to dangerous temperatures, we understand that you may need to go venture outside during this time.  It is important to protect your body to prevent cold stress in the form of hyperthermia or other health complications.  

• Wear clothes meant for cold, wet, and windy conditions. Dress in loose-fitting layers to adapt to changing temperatures. Wear a hat, socks, shoes, gloves, and outerwear to keep you dry.  
• Work in pairs so you and your coworker can spot danger signs in each other. 
•  Drink plenty of warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports drinks) but avoid caffeine (in coffee, tea, sodas, or hot chocolate).  
• Take breaks often, in a heated area, to warm up.  Get medical help right away if you or another worker has symptoms of hypothermia: ~ Shivering ~ Fatigue ~ Loss of coordination ~ Confusion or disorientation.  
• Be aware you are at higher risk for cold stress if you take certain medications, are in poor physical condition, or suffer from diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. Follow the advice of your medical professional and take additional precautions as needed.

Prevent Slips and Falls

According to the CDC, almost 1 million Americans are injured annually from falling on ice and snow. Protecting yourself and those around from fall-related injuries is vital during cold temperatures.

• Practice good housekeeping to prevent slips in the workplace.
• Keep walkways and paths clear of water, snow, ice, oils, etc., to reduce slippery conditions.
• Place signage or barricades around slippery conditions to alert personnel in the area until it can be cleaned up.
• Secure floor mats or other materials that need to be on the ground, so they do not shift when individuals walk on them.
• Wear the proper footwear for the conditions. Clean your shoes when possible to avoid slipping. Footwear with good tread makes better contact with the walking surface, which leads to less of a chance of a slip.
• Walk like a penguin. Take small concise steps when walking, this will help when slippery conditions present that you cannot avoid. Taking larger steps can lead to your balance being thrown off, resulting in a slip.
• Place down salt on icy areas. During winter seasons, always assume you are walking on black ice. Place down salt on ice areas.
• If you do not have ice melt salt, you can use table salt. Since the crystals of table salt are smaller than those of ice melt, it will require more salt to cover the areas but it can be used in an emergency.

While these tips are helpful, it is important to first and foremost keep up-to-date on weather conditions and to follow the guidance of your local officials during dangerous weather conditions. 

PosiGen would also like to assure you that panels are made to withstand winter weather conditions.  Panels will continue to produce power even if it's cold.  Please reach out should you have questions,  1-888-939-4442.