Tuesday, December 17th through Wednesday, December 18th, temperatures are set to fall down to freezing levels. While a hard freeze is unlikely to occur (sustained temperatures under 29 for more than two hours at a time) the “feels like” will be 29-27 for most of the evening and Wednesday morning.
As always, it is best to practice the “Four P’s” as the cold fronts set in:
People:
- Dress in warm clothing, wear coats and gloves when outdoors
- Protect the children and the elderly. Never leave them in a cold place or vehicle
- Wind is particularly bad, so keep faces warm and covered if possible
Pets:
- Bring your pets indoors before temperatures drop below 45 degrees
- Provide a warm, safe place for them to eat and sleep
Pipes:
- Prevent frozen pipes and damage to your home by opening the cabinets under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warm air to circulate and warm the pipes
- Insulate outdoor faucets and exposed pipes with foam or other cold-rated wraps
- 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 she3eting on top of it
- Hydrate plants early so they can absorb and stay healthy through the cold
Additionally, there are a few vehicle safety tips to observe during winter weather:
- Fully check and winterize your vehicle
- Keep your gas tank full
- Have your tire pressure checked; pressure fluctuates in the cold
- Have a phone charger, first aid kit, blankets and jumper cables in your car
Check local road conditions at www.houstontranstar.org. State highway information available at www.drivetexas.org.
Lastly, your local fire department provided some safety tips surrounding space heaters and other supplemental heating sources during the colder days:
- Never leave a space heater unattended or a child unattended with a space heater.
- Keep all combustible materials (including yourself!) at least three (3) feet away from the heater.
- Never overload outlets or breakers.
- Do not use extension cords for the heater.
- Always turn it off if leaving the room and/or going to sleep.
Share these tips to your neighborhood social media outlets using the share buttons above; Facebook, Nextdoor, and Twitter shares can help neighbors see these tips before the cold arrives. Stay safe and warm!