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A freeze warning is in effect from 12 a.m. until 9 a.m. Tuesday for the following southeast Texas counties:
- Austin
- Brazos
- Burleson
- Chambers
- Colorado
- Fort Bend
- Grimes
- Harris
- Houston
- Jackson
- Liberty
- Matagorda
- Madison
- Montgomery
- Polk
- San Jacinto
- Trinity
- Walker
- Waller
- Washington
- Wharton
The City of Houston recommended the following protective actions on Tuesday:
People
- Dress in warm, layered clothing, including gloves, a coat, and a hat when you are outside.
- Never leave children or the elderly in vehicles during cold weather, as they can act as refrigerators and expose anyone inside to sub-freezing temperatures.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device to heat your home (or any enclosed area). These devices can generate carbon monoxide, which cannot be seen or smelled, but is deadly.
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be susceptible to this week’s cold weather and/or not have access to housing and heating, including the elderly and those with special needs.
- The Coalition for the Homeless is coordinating information for partner agencies and the general public and is keeping an updated list of those resources for individuals who may be experiencing homelessness: http://bit.ly/2TXSaan
Pets
- Protect your pets by ensuring that they have a warm, safe place to sleep. The best place for a pet to sleep is in a heated environment.
- Do not shave your dog down to the skin in winter. A longer coat provides more warmth.
- Never leave your animal in a car during cold weather. Cars can act as refrigerators in the winter, holding in the cold and causing animals to freeze to death.
- For more cold-weather tips for pets, visit the ASPA's 'Cold Weather Safety Tips' webpage: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
Pipes
- As a general rule, pipes do not freeze until the temperature drops into the 20s. View tips for protecting your pipes: www.houstonoem.org/cold-weather/
Plants
- Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
- Bring in potted plants or group them together, near the edge of a building. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leafs survive.