The City of Winnipeg is advising residents with frozen pipes getting water from temporary hose lines to wrap towels around their outside taps to prevent the lines from freezing during the current cold snap.

The city said if a hose line does freeze, homeowners should contact 311 to report it.

The city warns against using propane heaters or open flames devices such as a blow torch or lighter to thaw pipes, hoses or taps.

The city also said people should not use any electrical devices to perform the job because of the risk of electrocution due to leaking water.

As of Monday, the city said there were still 1,289 properties waiting to have their frozen pipes thawed.

Of those properties, 882 have temporary hose lines installed.

The city has set up three Frozen Pipe Resource Centres to assist people with frozen pipes.

On Monday they announced the hours those centres would be open during Easter Weekend.

The resource centre at Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex will be open on Good Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, April 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., Sunday, April 21 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Easter Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The resource centre at Elmwood Kildonans Pool will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday and will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

The resource centre at Fort Rouge Leisure centre will also be Good Friday and Easter Monday and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.