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With the possibility of below-freezing temperatures in our area beginning Friday and extending into the holiday weekend, Suffolk Public Utilities reminds citizens to take precautions to protect their pipes during these weather conditions.

There are a number of ways you can prevent the expense of burst pipes, including:

• Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes (i.e – the faucet at your kitchen sink overlooking a window). Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing. You also can open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Disconnect water hoses from outdoor spigots in the winter. The water inside the hose can freeze, and the freezing continues back into the spigot until it reaches the pipes. Any pipe that freezes can burst.
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

The contact number for after-hours/weekend requests for Emergency Public Utilities Services is 757.514.7000.