With freezing temperatures right around the corner, it’s a good time to refresh ourselves on precautionary measures for drops in temperature and cold weather.

The Four P’s to Prepare your Home this Winter:

• People
• Pets
• Pipes
• Plants

People

• Avoid going outside if it is not necessary. If you do, make sure you layer up from head to toe.
• To keep you and your family safe, it is imperative your home is warm.
• Make sure your heat is set to an appropriate temperature to make your entire home comfortable. Remember, heat rises so if you sleep upstairs, your room may be warmer than rooms downstairs.
• If you use a fireplace, make sure you have a screen to catch any embers that might escape or a rolling log.
• Never use your stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you smell smoke or see flames, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Pets

• While protecting your family, it is imperative to protect your pets as well.
• Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to cold temperatures. If not taken care of properly, they can succumb to frostbite and even hypothermia.
• If you have a dog that typically lives outdoors, consider letting them inside when temperatures drop to freezing. While their fur does help to keep them warm, it provides little help in freezing temperatures.
• If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, make sure they have a warm shelter, plenty of food and fresh water so it does not freeze.
• If your pet looks like it has any symptoms resembling frostbite or hypothermia, call your vet.

Pipes

• Turn off the sprinkler system shut-off valve. Most residential devices have two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue on the valve handles and located before and after the sprinkler system backflow device. A diagram is shown below.
• Release the water pressure from the bleeder valves. The bleeder valves are usually located under the top of the backflow device. If the water does not stop flowing you may have not shut the valves off completely.
• Leave the smaller bleeder valve open, this will let any remaining water in the line expand without breaking the device. Insulate your backflow device. Most hardware/home services stores carry backflow insulation supplies.
• Make sure to cover all your exposed pipes with a cover. You can also cover your pipes with towels, duct tape or another adhesive strip as long as they are wrapped tightly.
• You can also open up the cabinets to let warm air circulate throughout your home. Just make sure any harmful chemicals are out of reach for children and pets.

Plants

• When cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to bring in all of your outdoor plants.
• If you can’t bring in the plant, cover it with a blanket to make sure they do not die.

Other Tips

• Don’t forget to make sure your car is okay for the freezing temperatures. Check your anti-freeze and your batteries. Also make sure to check your tire pressure and the tread.
• Speaking of cars, make sure when you are on the road that you are mindful parts of the roads may be frozen, particularly bridges. Do not speed and never slam on the brakes.
• Make sure if you use a generator, it is outdoors. Do not use a generator inside, including in your garage.

With the holidays upon us we would like to remind you that fireworks are NOT allowed on the bayous.  It is posted on the signs leading to our trails.  Unfortunately some residents disobey this rule hence the reminder.  We are aware they are allowed in Harris County but the bayous are off bounds.  Please abide by this simple rule.  If you are aware of someone using fireworks on the bayous, you can contact the non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s office.  Please be aware though that they are very busy during the holidays and might not be able to respond in a timely manner.   Thank you for your cooperation.

Please do not throw tree limbs and other debris on the tops and sides of the bayou. Your tax payer dollars and that of your neighbors has to pay for their removal. This is money that can be used to maintain the trails and bayous. The limbs need to be cut in 3 or 4 foot lengths, bundled and placed at the curb on your regular trash days. Other yard debris needs to be bagged and placed at the curb also.

These simple things can make it more pleasurable for all the residents to enjoy our trails and the better use of your tax dollars.

We are pleased to announce the trail repairs behind the new construction of the Stonecreek facility (where the racquet club was previously) have been completed.

Also, Harris County has finished the sidewalk and trail repairs near Lowery Elementary.

We thank you for your patience and hope you will enjoy having the uninterrupted trail system again. With cooler weather soon, it will be the perfect time to explore our community and enjoy the outdoors!

The Stonecreek project bordering the trail network may have disrupted the pattern you have been accustomed to walking/riding. We are working with our consultants to ensure they replace the panels to our standards and employ any safety measures for the overflow slab. We apologize for the inconvenience. The rainy weather has slowed down their progress but, hopefully, it will be completed soon.

We are in the process of doing a major trimming of all the trees along the bayous to facilitate maintenance and grass cutting. It will take approximately a week to a week and a half depending on the weather. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

The repairs to the trails have been completed. The contractors are presently working on filling in around the slabs and cleaning up any excess debris. We hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather while walking/riding on the trails throughout our neighborhood.

We are in the process of repairing parts of the trail damaged by the desilting project, subsidence and general wear and tear. Parts of the trail will be blocked off where the repairs are taking place. Please be considerate and avoid the areas that are blocked off. Also, it is a definite safety issue. They will try and complete the project as quickly as possible. Your cooperation will be very much appreciated. We are very enthused to see how many residents are utilizing our trail system. Our goal is to maintain them to the upmost, to ensure your safety and enjoyment.