Burst pipes due to freezing weather can cause flooding and expensive repair bills.

Bend Fire & Rescue is reminding the public that problems related to frozen pipes can be avoided with a few simple steps.

The public advisory comes as Bend and other areas of Central Oregon are forecast to experience temperatures well below freezing on Saturday.

Ed Townsend, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service office in Pendleton, said the forecast high is 12 degrees on Saturday with a low of 5 degrees. Sunday’s low is expected to drop to 3 degrees. Temperatures are expected to be even colder in Madras, where the forecast high is 7 degrees and the low is -1 degree.

For those who have already winterized their homes, the fire department said now is a good time to re-check outdoor faucets and insulation. Making routine checks is easier when snow is fresh. Melting snow and overnight freezing temperatures can freeze up areas around the house by the weekend.

The fire department said the advisory should be heeded by everyone, from homeowners and tenants to maintenance managers and contractors.

Home protection tips:

• Ensure outdoor faucets and water outlets are covered. Foam insulation covers can be purchased at any hardware store.

• Remove snow from natural gas and propane shut-offs. Create access to other utilities around the homes.

• Clear snow away from any fire hydrants near your home.

The fire department also asks the public to clear sidewalks, driveways, vehicles and any access to utilities. Access to pets and farm animals should also be ensured. Keeping areas clear will help emergency vehicles reach those in need.

Neighbors and family members with mobility challenges may need assistance.

The fire department reminds business owners to protect pipes from freezing. Frozen pipes and indoor sprinkler systems cannot protect buildings in case of fire. A building’s fire sprinkler service company should be contacted to schedule service if it is overdue.

Avion Water Co. recommends keeping the water utility box near the street covered in snow during cold weather events because snow acts as an insulator and will help to prevent pipes from freezing. Snow can also be left on top of irrigation boxes.

When the temperature drops

Homes and businesses can further protect property during extreme cold weather events by taking a few simple steps.

• Keep thermostats set to 70 degrees overnight and open up cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate near pipes.

• Turn on the faucet just a little bit so that a trickle of water comes out of the faucet. Moving water doesn’t freeze. This wastes a little bit of water, but it’s one of the best ways to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Portable space heaters can also be used to warm the space under sinks but leave 3 feet of clearance to prevent fire.

For those leaving town for a while, water can be closed at the main water shut-off. After doing this, open up the faucets and allow water to drain from pipes.

How do you know your pipes may be frozen? An open faucet that produces a slow trickle or no water is a sign the pipe is frozen. You may also detect a foul smell from the drain or faucet. Whistling or banging sounds from pipes are also signs they are frozen.

If pipes do freeze, call a plumber or try to thaw them with heating tape, a space heater or a hair dryer.

The fire department also reminds the public to ensure smoke detectors are working properly. In winter, when windows are closed, smoke and carbon dioxide can build up more quickly in the event of a fire, which means less time to escape if it becomes necessary.

The recent snowfall in Bend could be just a practice run. Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond could get 10 to 16 inches more by early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service, and areas around Sunriver and La Pine could see 16 to 40 inches.

The weather service issued a winter storm warning for the region from 1 a.m. Friday to 4 a.m. on Sunday. Amounts in the Cascades could be closer to 2 feet or more, according to the forecast. Low temperatures could drop down into single digits with wind gusts up to 45 mph.

Travel may be difficult to impossible. Morning and evening commutes are likely to be affected and downed trees may occur. Check tripcheck.com for road and highway conditions.