Cold Weather Safety Tips From Williamson County Office Of Emergency Management

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management issued safety tips on Thursday ahead of a widespread freeze affecting Central Texas.

Freezing conditions are expected to begin on Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. As a result, residents should take precautions as it relates to the four Ps: People, pets, pipes and plants. In some areas of the county, the the term "pets" extends to livestock, so attention to such animals also should be placed in the upcoming cold spell.

• People: Check on elderly family, friends, and neighbors and those who may have functional or access needs to make sure that they have sufficient warmth to get them through the cold weather, officials advise.
• Pets and Livestock: Pets should be brought inside or into a protected covered area and provided with bedding, food, and water. For outdoor animals, hypothermia and dehydration are the two most life-threatening conditions in freezing weather, county officials said. Access to drinking water is critical, so make sure water sources do not freeze. Very young or older animals may be less able to tolerate temperature extremes and have weaker immune systems, officials noted. As it relates to livestock, animals should be provided wind-break and roof shelter and monitored for signs of discomfort (extensive shivering, weakness, lethargy, etc.). They should be provided extra hay/forage/feed as animals will need more calories to maintain body heat in extreme cold. Horse and livestock owners should check with their veterinarian or the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office for additional information by calling 512-943-3300.

• Pipes: Covering exposed pipes may protect them from freezing. Plumbing insulation and faucet covers are available at local hardware stores and some grocery stores. The insulation or covers are easy to install and should be fitted snugly over the pipes or faucet. If possible, leave your thermostat set near 50 degrees and open the cabinet doors under your sink to allow warm air to circulate around your pipes. If your pipes do freeze, it may be best to call a plumber to check for damage to your pipes.
• Plants: There are several things you can do to protect your plants from frost and freezes. Cover your plants before nightfall. Plants and soil absorb and store heat from the sun during the day, but rapidly lose the heat after sunset. Remove the covers during the day to avoid overheating your plants. If severe freezing temperatures are expected to continue for several days, clear plastic bags, like trash liners, will keep your plants warm and let in sunlight during the day. Water the soil around your plants thoroughly before the temperature drops below 32 degrees. The moisture will keep the air around your plants just a bit warmer. Potted plants are more susceptible to frost and freezing because their roots are less protected than those planted in the ground. Move plants in containers indoors if possible or bury the container in the ground. If you cannot move or bury the containers, cover the plants, wrap the pots in towels, burlap, or even bubble wrap.

For more cold weather safety tips from the Red Cross, click here. For other emergency preparedness tips, follow William County on their Facebook page.

>>> Image via National Weather Service