Your Guide on How to Prepare for a Freeze in Texas

This winter season, it is important to prepare for a freeze in Texas even if you don’t live in an area that is prone to temperatures below 32 degrees. Read on for some tips to help prepare for any freeze that might hit this season.

Get out a pen and paper to keep important numbers handy.

With any emergency weather event, you should write down the numbers for important friends, family and businesses for help should the need arise.

If the power goes out, you will want to let your power company know about it. Regardless of your electricity provider,  we have the numbers here for the company to call in your area.

Buy the supplies needed for an emergency kit

This is a simple, yet often overlooked, task that you might want to do now before an actual need arises. You will want to stock up on supplies such as an FM/AM radio, batteries first aid kit, flashlight or battery powered candles, tools like a wrench or pliers, a non-electric can opener and more. You will also want to stock up on essentials such as toilet paper, drinking water, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food and plenty of your favorite drinks and snacks. You also want to make sure you go to the pharmacy and have the medication you need to help prepare for a freeze in Texas.

Bring your outdoor plants and bring your pets inside

Bring your portable plants inside, and place in an area that will get ambient sunlight until you can put them back outside. You will also want to cover your outdoor plants with things such as burlap, bedsheets, old blankets or comforters. Once the freeze passes, take the coverings off so your plants will receive the warmth and sunlight they require.

 

In addition to bringing your pets inside, stock up the things the require as well – food, bottled water specifically for them, cat litter, toys and warm bedding for them to rest. If you are cold, so are they!

Stay warm and plan activities that don’t require electricity.

The Red Cross recommends you keep the thermostat at 65 during the day and 55 degrees at nightto conserve fuel, which is much cooler than which many people are accustomed. So, make sure you dress in lots of lightweight, warm layers to protect against a chill in the house.

 

It is also a good idea to conserve your cell phone power, so try to use it sparingly so it will be available to use in an emergency. You can use other electronics, like a tablet for games, streaming videos and more if needed. Some alternatives to playing on your phone include exercise, reading, catching up on sleep, or any traditional board game, dice or cards.