03:47 PM CST on Tuesday, November 25, 2003

From 11 News Staff Reports

Recommendations from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

•Bring pets inside. If that's not possible, blankets should be provided in a garage or dry, weatherproof dog house.

NOAA

• Increase outdoor pets' food. It helps generate extra body heat.

• Break ice on outdoor water dishes. Water is essential.

• Bang on your car's hood before starting it. Cats sometimes crawl inside for warmth.

• Never leave pets inside your car, which acts as a refrigerator.

• Clean up antifreeze spills. It's poisonous to pets.

Tips from the Houston Public Works Department:

• Wrap your exposed water pipes if a hard freeze is expected. It's better than leaving faucets dripping. Contrary to popular belief, hot water lines do freeze.

• Cut off the water and drain the plumbing system if you leave. Don't take any chances.

Suggestions from Chronicle Garden Editor Kathy Huber:

• Water gardens well. It's also a good idea to mulch heavily with pine needles, leaves or bark mulch.

•Cover susceptible plants. Use sheets or blankets before temperatures drop below 32 degrees. Row covers -- synthetic freeze cloth -- are helpful when temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s, especially for several hours.

•Bring in tropical plants in pots. Don't forget to water them. Water helps them retain their heat.

Tips from CenterPoint Energy:

Any fuel-burning equipment or appliance, including wood stoves, fireplaces, space heaters, barbecue grills, furnaces, water heaters, boilers and ranges, has the potential to produce carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating. When breathed, CO combines with the blood and prevents it from absorbing oxygen. Carbon monoxide can be produced by incomplete combustion, often the result of improperly adjusted or poorly vented appliances. Annual check-ups of these appliances help ensure proper and safe operation of these types of appliances and equipment.

Other tips:

•Follow manufacturers' operating instructions properly for their gas heating equipment.

• Do not use stovetop burners or ovens to heat a room they are not designed for this use.

•Make sure to follow the blue flame rule. Natural gas flames should burn blue. The exception to this rule is natural gas fireplace logs. They burn orange to have a more realistic wood burning look.

• Crack windows slightly if using unvented space heaters.

• Consider buying a CO detector as another line of defense against carbon monoxide in your home. If you decide to buy a CO detector, CenterPoint Energy recommends purchasing one with an audible alarm and continuous digital display. Also, be sure it is tested to the national standard for residential CO detectors (UL2034 or IAS NO. 6-96).