HOUSTON — Winter temperatures are coming and the Harris County Fire Marshalls Office and Houston SPCA want to make sure you and your family are safe from the cold weather.
Freezing temperatures are expected on Sunday morning and that means it's time to keep your animals safe.
"We strongly encourage them to bring their companions inside their home when there is extreme weather," said Julie Kuenstle the VP of Communications with the Houston SPCA.
Houston SPCA is asking families to make sure they have a warm shelter for their pets.
"The key to making sure the shelter is off the ground. With the freezing temperatures come some sleet and rain most times in Houston. By keeping it elevated you are keeping them dry. It's also keeping them warm," Kuenstle said.
The Harris County Fire Marshal also wants to remind people about the dangers of carbon monoxide. They said to not bring grills or generators inside. They’re also asking people not to use their ovens to heat their homes.
"Carbon monoxide is odorless colorless gas. It makes you tired. And you go to sleep at night, you are warm, you got these things going even if you put the fire out, that is when the gas is," Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said.
If you have a space heater, plug it directly into a wall, don’t use an extension cord. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away. And keep your kids and pets away. Turn off those heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
"If you are going to use one, make sure it has tip-over protection. You can set that on the label. If it were to tip over, it would shut that off. It would not continue to burn," Christensen said.
We also spoke with a local nursery over the phone and they said you can protect your plants with a frost cloth if you’re worried about them. You can find them at any local nursery near you.