Protecting the 3 Ps (Pets, Plants, & Pipes) in Winter Weather

Winter weather with sub-freezing temperatures is forecasted throughout much of the state over the next few weeks. Here are some tips on protecting the three Ps (pets, plants, and pipes) from the cold.

Protecting Pets. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory provides tips about caring for pets during winter weather.

• Pets should be kept inside during the day and night. If dogs must be left outside for any time, they should have a draft-free shelter large enough to stand and turn around in, yet small enough to retain body heat. Use a layer of straw or other bedding material to help insulate them against the cold. Make sure the entrance faces away from the incoming wind and snow.
• When possible, keep smaller dogs and cats indoors during freezing temperatures. Be mindful that cats left outdoors in cold weather seek shelter and heat under the hoods of automobiles and can be injured or killed when starting the engine. Banging loudly on the hood of your car a few times before starting the engine will help avoid tragedy.
• Be aware of pets around salt and deicing chemicals. Salt and chemicals on sidewalks to combat ice buildup can irritate skin and are easily ingested. Thoroughly clean your pets’ paws, legs and abdomen to prevent ingestion of toxic substances and prevent their pads from becoming dry and irritated. Signs of toxic ingestion include excessive drooling, vomiting, and depression.

Winter is also a good time to leave pets’ coats a little longer than normal to provide extra warmth.

Protecting Plants. Frosts and freezes can damage or kill exposed plants, especially those in containers. Damage can vary greatly among plant varieties, and cold-sensitive plants will require more protection than hardier plants.

Watering plants and making sure they are not drought-stressed before freezing temperatures arrive can help. Watering just before the freeze can also help because water creates warmth and loses heat slowly. Drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to the cold. If you are not able to bring plants inside, the best option is to cover and place them in a location that gets ample sunlight.

Plants in containers should be moved inside the home or garage, any space where temperatures will stay above freezing. If container plants are unable to move indoors, put them on the south side of the house, water them well and pile on mulch, leaves, or hay to protect the roots and/or cover them with a frost blanket. Cold-sensitive landscape plants can also be covered with similar protection.

When covering plants, drape them with cardboard or cloth material to the ground and secure it. The idea is to trap enough warmer air escaping from the soil to protect plants from a killing freeze. Not ready to put up the holiday lights, stringing them around sensitive plants and covering them with a tarp can provide protection from light freezes.

Protect Pipes. When it comes to winter weather freeze damage to your home, protecting exposed pipes is critical when temperatures dip below freezing. Homeowners should protect pipes around the house or in wellhouses before temperatures drop below freezing. 

Water pipes can freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20 degrees or below, but you should take precautions anytime temperatures are expected to dip below freezing. Pipes with northern exposure face an increased risk of freezing and bursting. Additionally, exposed pipes, including outdoor faucets, water sprinklers, water pipes in basements, crawl spaces, attics or garages, pipes running along exterior walls, swimming pool supply lines and well houses are especially susceptible to freezing temperatures.

Letting indoor faucets drip may also help during prolonged freezing temperatures, and using heat lamps to raise temperatures in lesser-insulated spaces with pipes like well houses or basements may also help prevent busted pipes.

Many protective products to insulate water pipes like sleeves, insulation, or heat tape are available at local plumbing supply retailers. If you are not able to locate protective products in stores, newspapers can also provide a slight level of protection when wrapped thoroughly around exposed pipes.

For more winter weather safety and preparation tips, visit https://agentsarah.blogspot.com/2024/01/. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Preparing for Winter Weather

As we get deeper into a chilly Texas winter, it is always smart to be prepared for whatever may be in the forecast.  Blizzards, heavy snow, freezing rain, ice, and freezing temperatures are known to cause havoc across the state. Winter storms are known as deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Some causes of injury and death include hypothermia from prolonged exposure to the cold, carbon monoxide poisoning from defective heating units and/or poor ventilation, and automobile accidents. According to the National Weather Service, about half of people who die from hypothermia are over the age of 60. Most fatalities occurring in ice and snow happen in automobile accidents; other fatalities occur because people are caught out in the storm. Even if you think you are safe and warm at home, a winter storm can become dangerous if the power goes off. With a little planning, you can protect yourself and your family and keep your property losses to a minimum.

1. Make a family disaster plan. Prepare for winter weather hazards that may affect the area in which you live by making a family disaster plan. When making a plan, you will need to consider whether you will evacuate or shelter in place. When winter storms are approaching, we typically have some warning, which gives us time to better prepare. If the storm brings unexpected severe weather, families need to know how they will communicate. Determine what you will do if you shelter in place and lose power. How will you care for your animals? What do you need to do to prepare if someone in the household has special needs, and how will you accommodate them? You need to know how to shut off the water at your meter. Your family disaster plan will help you to respond appropriately and make wise decisions about winter weather emergencies.

2. Get prepared. The main concerns related to winter weather are loss of heat, power, and telephone service, as well as a shortage of supplies if storm conditions are severe or continue for more than a day. Take an inventory of emergency items on hand to make sure you have everything needed to survive for three to five days. Make two lists—one of what you already have and one of what you will need. Don’t forget to check camping gear that may be stored away; items such as propane camping stoves, lanterns, matches, and sleeping bags can be very useful. The disaster supplies listed below serve as a general guideline. Each family is unique and has different needs, so adjust the contents of your kit accordingly.

• Flashlights. Be sure to have extra batteries.
• Telephone. If your electricity is lost, cordless phones will not work. However, as long as the phone lines are functioning properly, an old-fashioned style phone with a cord connecting the handset to the phone base will work. Cell phones may or may not work. Battery powered two-way radios are one way to stay in communication with family members who are inside the radio’s range limit.
• Extra set of car and house keys. Store an extra set of keys in a place outside your home that you know you can access in case of an emergency. If electric power is lost, garage door openers will not work, and an extra set of keys may come in handy.
• Battery-powered NOAA weather radio and an A.M./F.M. battery-powered radio. These radios may be your only links to outside information. Be sure to have extra batteries.
• Water. Keep a three-day supply of bottled water. Have available one gallon of water per person per day for drinking. During extended storms, water from the water heater tank can be used for drinking. If you have advanced warning of a storm, the bath tub can be filled with water to be used for flushing toilets.
• Food. Keep high-energy foods on hand such as dried fruit, nuts, cereal, granola bars, and other food that requires no cooking or refrigeration.
• Cash. Keep extra cash in an easily accessible place in case of an emergency. ATM machines may not work if electricity is lost.
• First aid kit, baby supplies and prescription medication.
• Heating fuel. Check your fuel level frequently during the winter months, and make sure to refuel your tank before it is empty. Fuel carriers may not reach you for days after a winter storm.
• Emergency heat sources. Fireplaces, wood stoves, and kerosene heaters are good “alternate” sources of heat in an emergency situation. Never burn charcoal indoors! It releases carbon monoxide. If you choose one of these appliances to heat your home, know how to use it safely and appropriately. If you use a gas-powered portable generator, it must be set up in a dry outdoor area and away from air intake to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Know what wattage the generator will support, and carefully follow the manufacturer’s directions for use. The generator will be helpful when there is electrical power loss. Depending on the generator, it may be used to run some appliances, but it may not have enough wattage for running an electric space heater. Check the wattage requirements.
• Mid-Sized generators (4,000–5,000 watts) will power your basic survival appliances, including your refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan, and several other appliances.
• Large generators (6,000–9,000 watts) will help make the power outage experience more peaceful, supplying power to even more appliances.
• X-Large generators (10,000+ watts) supply enough electricity to restore power to small homes. Most include an electric starter, which is ideal for elderly homeowners who are unable to pull the cord.
• Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms once a month to ensure they work properly. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that you replace the batteries every six months. Know how to safely and properly use a fire extinguisher and maintain it by checking the pressure level gauge at least once a year.

3. Be prepared while traveling in a vehicle. Take extra precautions to avoid extreme winter weather while on the road. Plan trips and check the latest weather reports before traveling to your destination. Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins. This preparation includes checking the battery, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashers, exhaust, heater, brakes, defroster, tires, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and oil. Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Avoid traveling alone and let a friend or family member know your travel route/itinerary. Make sure you have a storm survival kit in your car if you plan to travel during treacherous weather. 

4. Dress for the season. Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing instead of one layer of heavy clothing. Dressing in layers allows for an easy adjustment if you become too hot or cold. Make sure that outer garments are water-repellent. Wear a hat, as half of your body heat can be lost from the head. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from extremely cold air.

5. Prepare animals/pets. Farm animals and pets require extra attention when it’s cold outside. Take extra precautions to ensure the well-being of your animals by providing plenty of water and food, as well as appropriate shelter.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.