HOUSTON – With another hard freeze expected to impact the Houston area, shoppers are once again heading to stores to stock up on cold-weather essentials.
Stores report increased demand for pipe insulation, faucet covers, space heaters, batteries and flashlights.
This time, employees say many customers are also picking up phone chargers and power banks in case of power outages.
Experts recommend preparing now by setting aside extra blankets and warm clothing, and using flashlights instead of candles if the power goes out. If using a space heater, safety is critical; heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn and plugged directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord.
Homeowners are also urged to protect pipes by wrapping exposed lines and opening cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.
Barbara Layer was among those shopping for supplies, saying her biggest concern is losing power during the freeze.
“The problem is we’re going to potentially lose power, because we could lose transmission lines up north of us, and we could potentially have no power and cold houses and frozen pipes,” Layer said.
While conditions are not expected to reach the severity of the February 2021 freeze, officials continue to stress safety precautions.
Generators should never be run inside or near a home, and outdoor cooking equipment such as grills should never be brought indoors, even during extended power outages.
Preparing ahead of time, experts say, can help families stay warm and safe as temperatures drop.