Editor性视界传媒檚 note: This story originally was published in January 2024 and has been updated.
When brutally cold temperatures set in, what needs the most protection? Focus on the four Ps: people, pets, pipes and plants.
With winter precipitation in the area possible as early as Thursday, government leaders and business owners in Gregg County have offered advice on how people can heat their homes safely, find shelter, drive on icy roads, prevent pipes from bursting and keep plants alive and animals safe.
The National Weather Service said a wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain is likely southeast of Interstate 30, especially along the I-20 corridor. Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to continue to dip into the teens and 20s throughout the week.
Keeping homes warm 性视界传媒 safely
House fires are more common during cold winter months as people try to heat their homes. But loss of life and other tragedies can be prevented with safe practices, said Mark Moore, Gregg County emergency management coordinator.
Space heaters are common in homes 性视界传媒 and they性视界传媒檙e also a common cause of fires. They can tip over and light carpet, clothes and furniture on fire, Moore said.
To reduce the risk of fire, space heaters should be placed on a surface that is hard and level. They should be plugged directly into wall outlets and not in extension cords. Space heaters should be placed at least 3 feet away from furniture and other objects, such as curtains, that could be combustible.
People should be mindful of how close they are to heaters, Moore said.
性视界传媒淚nvariably, people walk up to those heaters 性视界传媒 and the loose clothing comes in contact with those heaters,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淭hen you have your clothes catch on fire. So, just be very cognizant of the environment that you性视界传媒檙e in.性视界传媒
People should not use stoves to heat their homes, and they also shouldn性视界传媒檛 fire up heaters indoors that emit carbon monoxide, such as propane heaters that are designed for outdoor use, Moore said.
In the event of a power outage, people who use generators should keep them away from their homes to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide, he added.
If residents are concerned a heater in their home may have started a fire 性视界传媒 if something doesn性视界传媒檛 smell right, for instance 性视界传媒 they should call 911, Moore said, to err on the side of caution and let firefighters examine the situation.
He added: 性视界传媒淭hink about the elderly or those that are out that we may need to check on.性视界传媒
Driving safely
Snow and ice aren性视界传媒檛 as common in East Texas as they are in other parts of the country, and some drivers may lack experience navigating treacherous roadways.
Drivers should avoid traveling when sleet, freezing rain and snow are forecast, according to from the Texas Department of Transportation.
If drivers must travel during inclement weather, they should take various safety measures, according to the guide.
Before hitting the road, drivers should fill their car性视界传媒檚 gas tank, check other vehicle fluid levels, ensure that the car性视界传媒檚 tires are properly inflated, check the depth of the car性视界传媒檚 tire treads, ensure that its windshield wipers are in good shape and make sure the vehicle性视界传媒檚 battery is working properly.
Drivers also should ensure that their vehicle性视界传媒檚 door and trunk locks are lubricated so they性视界传媒檒l open properly, according to the agency性视界传媒檚 safety guide.
Drivers should plan extra time to reach their destination and alert other people of their travel plans. They should drive slowly and maintain more distance than usual between other vehicles, which gives a driver more room and time to stop, reducing the likelihood of a crash.
性视界传媒淏e aware that ice accumulates on bridges and overpasses before drivers may see it on roads, so approach them more slowly in winter weather,性视界传媒 the safety guide reads. 性视界传媒淲atch for downed trees and power lines. If a stop light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.性视界传媒
TxDOT also suggests drivers keep emergency supplies in their car, including: a blanket or sleeping bag, extra clothes, hats, gloves, a radio, a cell phone, a phone charging cable, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a pocket knife, non-perishable food that is high in calories, water, a bag of sand or cat litter that can help tires gain extra traction, a windshield scraper, a tool kit, jumper cables, a tow rope and a shovel.
Protecting pipes
When temperatures dip below freezing, water lines have a higher likelihood of bursting. But homeowners can take steps to keep their pipes warmer, said Danny King, owner of in Longview.
By opening cabinet doors beneath sinks, people can allow heat from the rest of their home to flow around pipes, King said. This is helpful especially underneath sinks that are built along a home性视界传媒檚 exterior walls.
性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 surprising,性视界传媒 King said. 性视界传媒淵ou take a cold day, and you open those cabinets 性视界传媒 and you can feel that it性视界传媒檚 cooler in there than it is out in the room.性视界传媒
People can leave their faucets dripping to prevent water from staying stagnant in their lines, as water that性视界传媒檚 moving won性视界传媒檛 freeze, he said.
Turning the heat up in a home can help keep pipes from freezing, King said. If they性视界传媒檙e able to do so, homeowners should check pipes to see if they性视界传媒檙e insulated.
They should also unhook garden hoses from outdoor faucets. If hoses are attached to an outdoor faucet, the faucet might be filled with water, causing it to freeze and break, King said.
People living in homes with crawlspaces or piers underneath should cover vents and gaps to prevent wind from blowing underneath their homes, causing pipes to get cold.
性视界传媒淎 lot of it性视界传媒檚 the wind,性视界传媒 King said. 性视界传媒淭he wind chill is what will freeze stuff faster than anything.性视界传媒
Outdoor faucets should be wrapped in a rag or insulated using a faucet cover.
In the event of a pipe burst or other water issue, people should contact a plumber right away, King said.
If a plumber can性视界传媒檛 reach the person quickly enough, Longview residents can call the city of Longview性视界传媒檚 water and sewer emergency hotline, (903) 236-3030, and ask for city workers to shut off their water. The line is monitored 24/7.
When water line breaks occur, shutting off water can minimize damage, King said.
性视界传媒淭hose are things that we just try to tell our customers when we性视界传媒檙e at their house,性视界传媒 King said. 性视界传媒淲e try to do what we can do to tell them, 性视界传媒楬ey, here性视界传媒檚 things you can do to prevent future problems.性视界传媒 If you can at least do some of those things, you might not have to worry about any freeze happening to your house.性视界传媒
Caring for animals
If outdoor temperatures are too cold for humans, they性视界传媒檙e likely too cold for animals.
People should make plans to take care of their pets immediately to prevent them from getting hypothermia, which could lead to death, according to the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center.
People should bring pets indoors to protect them from extreme temperatures and moisture, the shelter said. At a minimum, animals should be kept in a well-insulated structure that blocks their exposure to wind and moisture.
Pet owners should make sure their animals have constant access to drinkable water. That means they should keep water bowls and buckets from freezing over.
Even if animals are in a structure that keeps them out of the wind, such as an unheated garage, they need blankets and hay to stay warm.
The Animal Care and Adoption Center, 303 H G Mosley Pkwy., is giving away bags of hay to pet owners who need it. The shelter is open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Protecting plants
Subfreezing temperatures can damage or kill some outdoor plants, but people can take steps to protect them from the worst conditions.
While most plants are dormant in the winter and have adapted to cold weather, frost and extreme cold can pose dangers, according to a winter weather guide created by the in Longview.
To protect plants from frost damage, cover them with sheets, blankets or frost cloth, the guide reads. Plastic coverings 性视界传媒渃an do more damage than good.性视界传媒
Sparing plants from subfreezing temperatures is a harder task. Some plants, such as azaleas and camellias, can be more negatively affected by prolonged cold than others, the guide reads.
Potted plants should be moved into a garage or underneath a patio.
性视界传媒淥ur soil will not freeze, so shrub and tree root balls should be fine,性视界传媒 the guide reads.
The guide also suggests that people can build plastic tee-pees around plants, effectively creating a miniature greenhouse around it. The plastic shouldn性视界传媒檛 touch the plant. A heat source can be added inside the structure as well.
