Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Winter officially tightens its grip on Oklahoma this weekend, with the winter solstice arriving Sunday and marking the start of the coldest stretch of the season. As temperatures remain low across the state, homeowners in Oklahoma City and surrounding communities are being urged to focus on winter home preparedness to prevent costly damage.
According to the National Weather Service, prolonged cold increases the risk of frozen and bursting pipes, especially in older homes or buildings with exposed plumbing. Emergency managers across central Oklahoma say many winter-related home disasters are preventable with basic preparation before temperatures drop further.
Statewide, residents are advised to insulate pipes in attics, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. Opening cabinet doors beneath sinks allows warm air to circulate, while setting thermostats no lower than 55 degrees helps protect plumbing overnight. In Oklahoma City neighborhoods, plumbers often see pipe failures during overnight freezes when water sits motionless, making a slow drip from faucets a simple but effective safeguard.
Fire officials also warn against using open flames or space heaters to thaw frozen pipes, which can quickly lead to house fires. Knowing where the main water shutoff valve is located can limit damage if a pipe does burst.
With winter just beginning Sunday, officials stress this is the time to prepare, not react. Additional cold weather advisories may be issued as conditions evolve into early next week.
