TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The temperature is dropping and as our area gets ready for a cold snap Wednesday night, we have some tips.
Pets, pipes, and plants are three of the most important things to remember when the temperatures get cold enough to freeze.
First rule of thumb, if it's too cold for you to sleep outside it's too cold for your pet.
"It's really important to remember that if it's cold for us it is cold for them too fur coat and all so they need to be brought in side especially on nights like tonight it is just too chilly for them," said Grayson Walters, a volunteer with Tallahassee Animal Services.
Walters says be careful with space heaters around your pets. They can be dangerous so just cover them with a blanket.
Experts said during a freeze anything exposed to the elements is at risk such as piping, backflow preventers,and water meters.
"Outdoor piping and backflow preventers can be protected simply by wrapping them in a towel or cloth. A water meter should have an outdoor cover. Hot water heating or piping in attic should be protected as well," said Jennifer Porter, Manager of Underground Utilities.
Michael Cureton owner of Cureton Plumbing recommends letting the outside faucets run just a trickle on the back or sides of the house.
"What that does is allows water flow to stay in motion and keeps the water pipes from freezing," said Cureton. "We don't suggest people run their inside pipes only because if they have a slow drain we would hate to have them have a flood that might not be draining correctly."
As for plants Mickey Clickner of Tallahassee Nurseries says if you have plants in pots it is best to bring them in and if you can't do that put a frost cloth or breathable blanket over them.
