Freeze warning: What you need to do ahead of winter storms

DALLAS - As freeze warnings impact Dallas-Fort Worth, it’s important to protect the four P’s: Pipes, Pets, Plants, and People. 

Here’s how to prepare before freezing weather and potential snow arrive:

Pipes:

LEICESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 06: An exterior tap is covered in snow in Newtown Linford on January 6, 2010 in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. The MET Office has put in place severe weather warnings for much of Britain today as heavy snowfa

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• Allow a faucet to drip continuously during freezing temperatures to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Open the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes.
• Know where your shut-off valves are in case of a pipe burst.
• Protect outdoor pipes with pipe insulation. If you’re in a pinch, wrap outdoor faucets with rags, towels, or newspaper for temporary insulation.
• Keep your pool pump running.
• If you’re leaving town, shut off and drain your water system to avoid burst pipes, and leave your heater on a low setting.

Pro tip: A small, steady drip is enough to keep water circulating and prevent freezing.

Pets:

TOPSHOT - A dog wearing clothes walks on a snowy day in Beijing on December 14, 2023. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

• Ensure outdoor pets have access to unfrozen water and extra food, as they use more energy to stay warm.
• Provide insulated, elevated shelters for outdoor animals.
• Beep your car horn or make loud noises before starting your engine to scare off cats or other animals that may be seeking warmth near the engine.
• Consider dressing short-haired dogs in sweaters during walks to keep them warm. If your pet shows signs of discomfort, like burrowing or refusing to move, bring them inside. That's them trying to tell you that they're cold.

Plants:

Dave Forehand is a gardening expert with the Dallas Arboretum and has been preparing the vegetation around the garden.

"We had plenty of prediction about this cold, so we had time to get ready. Planting all the bulbs for spring, took a break from that to start covering all the plants," he said.

With days of below-freezing temperatures still in the forecast, he says it’s not too late to protect your plants.

"At home, you can use anything: blanket, towels," he said. "If you use plastic, it will trap the condensation and damage the plants."

If snow does come, Forehand says it will actually be good for your garden.

"Snow is a great insulator. It will not hurt things and will insulate and keep them protected," he said. "Keep things covered, and it will be nice and cozy underneath."

Neuschnee im Nachwinter bedeckt die schon ausgebrachten Topfpflanzen auf der Gartenterrasse (Photo by Harald Lange/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

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• Bring small plants indoors, especially succulents. Cover outdoor plants with blankets or cardboard for insulation.
• Add mulch to protect the roots of trees and shrubs.
• Move larger potted plants closer to your home for added warmth.
• Turn off automatic sprinklers and detach hoses from outdoor faucets.
• If plants look wilted or weak after a freeze, don’t worry—they will most likely recover as temperatures warm.

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TxDOT preparing roads with winter weather on the way

TxDOT has pre-treated roads across North Texas as they prepare for freezing temperatures and possible snow later this week.

People:

• Keep your heater on at all times, maintaining a consistent temperature of at least 55°.

Close-up of hand of a man adjusting the heat setting on a Nest Learning Thermostat, an Internet of Things device from Google Inc, in a smart home in San Ramon, California, December 17, 2019. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

• Run ceiling fans on low in reverse to help circulate warm air.
• Prepare for potential power outages by stocking up on firewood, flashlights, and batteries.
• If you lose power and food spoils, document with photos and lists—your insurance may reimburse up to $500.

By following these tips, you can help minimize damage and stay safe during this freeze warning.