Stay Safe During Florida’s Winter Weather

Even in Florida, cold snaps can happen. A few simple steps can help you stay safe, keep your home comfortable and manage energy use when temperatures drop.

Cold Weather Preparation For Your Home

Use Natural Sunlight

Use Natural Sunlight

  • Open shades and curtains during the day when the sun is shining to help warm your home naturally.
Circulate Warm Air

Circulate Warm Air

  • Use ceiling fans to improve airflow.
  • Set fans to rotate clockwise in winter at a low speed to push warm air down.
Maintain Heating Equipment

Maintain Heating Equipment

  • Check and replace furnace filters according to manufacturer instructions.
Prevent Frozen Pipes During Hard Freezes

Prevent Frozen Pipes During Hard Freezes

  • Insulate exposed plumbing.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate.
  • Let faucets drip slowly during extended cold weather.
Avoid frequent adjustments that can increase energy use.

Manage Your Thermostat Efficiently

  • Set your thermostat to a steady temperature, around 68 degrees in winter, to reduce short cycling.
  • Avoid frequent adjustments that can increase energy use.
Avoid frequent adjustments that can increase energy use.

Keep Warm Air Where You Need It

  • Keep doors and windows closed during cold weather.
  • Close off rooms you are not using.

Natural Gas Safety

Use Heating Equipment Correctly

  • Heat your home only with appliances designed for indoor use, such as a furnace.
  • Never use a gas range, oven, grill or outdoor heater to heat indoors.

Natural Gas Safety

Use Space Heaters Safely

  • Never leave a space heater on while sleeping or away from home.
  • Keep heaters away from curtains, furniture and other flammable materials.

Natural Gas Safety

Keep Vents and Air Intakes Clear

  • Make sure furnace, dryer and fireplace vents are free of snow, leaves or debris so exhaust can flow properly.

Natural Gas Safety

Protect Your Natural Gas Meter

  • Keep the area around your meter clear of clutter and yard debris.
  • Do not strike or attempt to thaw a meter.
  • Gently remove snow or ice with a broom.

Natural Gas Safety

Use Generators Safely

  • Operate portable generators outdoors only.
  • Place generators on a flat, dry surface at least 20 feet from doors and windows.
  • Turn portable generators off while sleeping or when away from home.

Natural Gas Safety

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

  • Place detectors on every level of your home and within 10 feet of sleeping areas.
  • Test detectors regularly and replace batteries as needed.

Know the Signs of a Natural Gas Leak

If you smell a strong, rotten egg odor:

  • Leave the area immediately on foot.
  • From a safe location, call 911, then call Florida Public Utilities at 800.427.7712.
  • Do not use lights, phones or anything that could create a spark.

Electric Safety

  • Charge phones, flashlights and medical devices ahead of winter storms.
  • Always assume downed power lines are energized.
  • Stay far away and report hazards by calling 800.427.7712.
  • Never pull tree limbs off power lines or enter areas with heavy snow, debris or downed trees.
  • Call 911 for immediate danger.
Report Electric Outages

REPORT ELECTRIC OUTAGES

Call 800.427.7712, or report online at fpuc.com/ReportOutage.

Help Managing Winter Bills

Colder weather can increase energy usage. Florida Public Utilities offers tools and assistance to help:

Energy-Saving Tools
Explore calculators, energy-saving tips and available rebates at: fpuc.com/energy-efficiency/energy-saving-tools

Energy Assistance
Programs Learn about payment extensions and LIHEAP resources at: fpuc.com/customer-care/energy-assistance