North Texas is watching the weather this week as meteorologists expect temperatures to take a nosedive.
Rafael Marquez took the forecast seriously and took a trip to Lowe’s in West Dallas to stock up on essentials to keep his home safe and warm.
“I check on the outside pipe lines because the inside is OK and I cover the water hose lines and this little cover here is for my faucet so it won't freeze," Marquez said with a bag full of insulation items.
Mechanics said there are several steps drivers can take to make sure cars are winter-ready.
Under the hood, make sure oil has been changed with the correct viscosity of oil for the weather. Mechanics also remind checking to make sure the vehicle has the correct antifreeze and batteries can withstand colder temperatures.
Checking air pressure in tires is also important to make sure they are properly inflated.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Many people will use space heaters to keep their homes warm. They are effective and inexpensive, but can be dangerous if not used correctly.
“I think the most important thing is make sure the area is clear. You don’t want to have anything like a Christmas tree too close. So you just want to make sure that it is clear of other things,” Lowe’s manager Cari Alvarez said. “Also don’t put anything on top of it or don’t set it on anything that might be unsafe.”
Fire safety specialists suggest having at least a three-foot space around the space heater with nothing in that area. Every year, space heaters should be inspected for damage, cracks and frayed cords from storage.
Many newer models of space heaters have safety features that could help limit the risk of fires.
"We have now an anti-tip device. Let's say a pet or it accidentally gets knocked over, it is automatically going to shut off and then also if it happens to get too hot it will also shut off," Alvarez said.
To avoid damage to freezing pipes home owners and renters are encouraged to leave water dripping from faucets to keep water moving.
“Just a little bit is going to help so it doesn’t freeze on the inside of your pipes. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Just a tad and that is really going to help you out,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez is a fan of simple faucet covers to help keep waterlines safe.
“This is only $2 and this is really going to protect you in case your pipes do freeze. It could be up to $2,000, $3,000, $4,000,” she said. “By spending $2 now, you are going to protect yourself in the future.”
