HOUSTON — The Houston Fire Department met Wednesday to discuss a game plan ahead of the temperature plunge that's expected early next week. There's concern around carbon monoxide poisoning, but also a higher threat of house fires as people try to stay warm with freezing temperatures approaching.
Shoppers also prepared for the first freeze of the new year.
"I got some insulation for some pipes coming into my house because two years ago, it was that terrible freeze and I don’t want to relive that," homeowner Bob Cardenas said.
Protecting pets, plants and pipes from the cold as freezing temperatures are set to arrive is taking center stage.
"I think folks have learned some really hard lessons the last two years," C&D Hardware owner Duane Myers said.
He said Wednesday was the first time they’ve seen people being so proactive about getting their house ready for freezing temperatures. Half of the store purchases were items to weatherize homes.
Protecting yourself tops the list for the Houston Fire Department's list of things to do.
"The Houston Fire Department, we always suggest your first line of defense is going to be working: smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors," HFD's Martee Boose said.
Boose said people without central heat may be tempted to use stoves or ovens to heat their homes, but she warned that doing so could have deadly consequences. Both can emit carbon monoxide -- an odorless and deadly gas. The telltale symptoms: nausea, headache, dizziness and blurred vision. She said if you use a generator, make sure it's 20 feet away from doors or windows. But the best heat source option is a space heater.
"Now with a space heater, space heaters need space, that’s what we always like to reiterate. So, you need to make sure that your space heater is not only on a firm flat surface, but that is 3 feet away from anything flammable," Boose said.
Boose said, in Texas, we see the most house fires in December, January and February.
Autumn Lane Outdoor Designs said they've been telling customers since the summer to prepare for the cold. Nick Erksine said the few freezes we've had over recent years show that it does get cold enough in Texas to cause damage.
You should also cover up plants before the temperatures drop to try to hold in as much of the ground heat as possible.
While you're covering the plants, remember the irrigation system for your sprinklers is what needs special attention, like the bell housing or backflow preventer. So, turn the water off and let it drain. you can get specialty covers but an old blanket can do the trick. Just make sure you secure it with tape or something else.
"On Sunday. I know the temps are going to start dropping Saturday. Sunday would be a good day to do it," Erskine said. "The one thing I do want to add -- do not cover your plants with trash bags, plastic tarps anything like that it might help it initially. But if you don’t take them off, it’s going to burn the plants."
He said plastic bags and the sun can create sort of a tiny greenhouse, burning your plants. Experts said even with precautions, it may not be enough to avoid some damage to your plants, but it'll minimize the impact of the cold.