🚨 If Freezing Temperatures Start Tomorrow & You Didn’t Prepare Ahead

Don’t panic — there are still important things you can do right now to reduce damage and stay safe.

🏡 Home & Plumbing Preparation

Freezing temperatures can cause serious damage to plumbing if water inside pipes freezes and expands. Taking these steps helps protect your home.

• Disconnect outdoor hoses and store them indoors. Water can remain trapped in hose connections and freeze, causing outdoor faucets to crack.

• Insulate exposed pipes in garages, attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls using foam pipe insulation or heat tape designed for plumbing.

• Drain and shut down sprinkler systems if possible. Turn off the water supply and drain remaining water from the system, including pressure vacuum breakers.

• Open cabinets under sinks (especially on exterior walls) to allow warm air to circulate.

• Let faucets drip slowly overnight during hard freezes to relieve pressure in the pipes.

• Check your thermostat and make sure it’s set to heat mode at a consistent temperature of at least 55–60°F, even overnight.

These steps are especially important for homes that are vacant or lightly occupied.

🌱 Lawn, Trees & Landscaping

Landscaping is often overlooked during cold weather, but sudden freezes can cause long-term damage to lawns and trees.

• Water grass, shrubs, and trees before temperatures drop. Moist soil insulates roots better than dry soil and helps plants withstand cold stress.

• Pay special attention to young trees (planted within the last 2–3 years). Add a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the base for extra insulation, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

• Cover sensitive plants with blankets, towels, or frost cloth. For smaller plants, use boxes or buckets.

• Avoid plastic touching leaves directly, as it can cause freeze burn.

• Remove covers once temperatures rise above freezing.

A well-watered and protected landscape will recover much faster after a freeze.

🏠 Interior Home Readiness

A few simple steps inside your home can help maintain warmth and reduce risk during freezing conditions.

• Close blinds and curtains to help retain heat.

• Seal drafts near doors and windows using towels or draft blockers.

• Replace HVAC filters if needed and ensure vents are unobstructed.

• Charge phones, power banks, and emergency lights in case of power outages.

Avoid using ovens, grills, or unvented heaters for warmth, as they pose serious safety risks.

🚗 Driving & Vehicle Preparation

Road conditions can become dangerous quickly during freezes, especially in North Texas.

• Avoid driving if possible, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads.

• If you must drive, keep your gas tank at least half full and drive slowly.

• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, water, a flashlight, and a phone charger.

Staying off the roads during icy conditions is often the safest choice.