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.

Our total cost for 2025 for graffiti removal was $13,108.60.

This money could have been used to help fund repairs and towards all the improvements we are undertaking.

Your choice as to how your tax dollars are used.

Let’s try to reduce this cost in 2026 by being vigilant about reporting unusual activity or speaking to family members.

Thank you.

WASTED TAX DOLLARS

Lately we have seen an increase in graffiti appearing along the trails. The photo above is just one example. It is your tax dollars that pay for the removal and manpower expenses each time someone defaces public property. This money could be put to better use providing new trails, maintaining current trails, bridges and the bayous. Thus far this year $11,130.35 has been spent on removal. In 2022, the total exceeded $13,000. This is an unnecessary expense paid for by you and your neighbors.

If you see someone, hear of someone committing this crime, please contact the non-emergency number at the Sheriff’s office (713-221-6000).

According to state law regarding vandalism and intentionally painting on property:

• Class “C” – misdemeanor if the pecuniary loss is less than $100.
• Class “B” – $100 or more but less than $750.
• Class “A” – $750. or more but less that $2,500.

Anything above this amount is considered a felony. The graffiti removed from the trails last week fell in the Class “A” category. The police are notified and/or a police report is filed with each incident.

Please remind everyone, if caught, there will be ramifications and fines. Your tax dollars could be put to better use than rectifying the willful acts of a few individuals. Thank you

“See something – Say something.”

Stop disease-causing bacteria in its tracks, by keeping our waterways clean. Do your part by cleaning up after your dogs! It is appalling to see the trails littered with dog poop. Soon it will start getting darker earlier. Your fellow trail users would appreciate a clean trail when they go walking or bike riding especially at dusk and early morning. Bags are provided to facilitate removal if you forgot to bring one with you.

At home:

• Pick up every poop
• Bag it
• Put it in the trash
• Repeat weekly

Away from home:

• Always bring bags
• Pick up every poop
• Bag it
• Put it in the trash

Veterinarians, garbage collectors and health professionals all agree that the trash is the safest way to dispose of your dog’s poop. Dog droppings left on grass wash into our storm drains, increasing the level of bacteria and making waterways unsafe for swimming and fishing.