Freezing weather coming!!!

Tips For Freezing Weather Protection

With the approach of freezing temperatures , which we haven’t seen for about 3 years it is time to Protect People, Pets, Pipes and Plants. Here are some tips for freezing weather protection.

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for the City of Houston from 9:00pm this evening until 9:00am tomorrow. Temperatures are forecast to hit the freezing point around midnight in Houston and last around 3-6 hours. Cold weather can pose a danger to the health and safety of Houston residents, and proper care should be taken to reduce your exposure to these conditions
When cold weather occurs, Houstonians should remember to protect People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.
People

*  Dress in warm clothing, wear gloves, coats and layers when you’re outside.
*  Never leave children or the elderly in vehicles during cold weather, as they act as a refrigerator and can result in sub-freezing temperatures.
*  Never use a generator, grill, camp-stove or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device to heat your home (or any enclosed area). This can generate carbon monoxide, which can’t be seen or smelled, but is deadly.

Pets

*  Protect your pets by ensuring that they have a warm, safe place to sleep. The best place for a dog or cat is to sleep in a heated environment.
*  Be sure not to shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth.
*  Never leave your animal in a car during cold weather. Cars can act as refrigerators in the winter, holding in the cold an causing animals to freeze to death.
*  For more cold-weather tips for Pets, visit the page in the following link from the ASPCA: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/cold-weather-tips.aspx
Pipes

*  During cold weather, pipes may freeze, causing water leaks and damage to your home. Protect your home by opening the cabinets under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow air from your home’s heater to warm the pipes under the sink. Let faucets drip – moving water freezes more slowly than still water.
*  Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation or newspaper, and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.

Plants

*  Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
*  Be sure to group plants that are in containers together, and near your home. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leafs survive.

For more information on what you can do to protect you and your family from the dangers of cold weather, visit the City of Houston OEM website at houstonoem.net<http://houstonoem.net/>.

For up-to-date weather information, visit the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston forecast office website at weather.gov/houston<http://weather.gov/houston>
Stay warm and safe.