The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management is monitoring a cold front that will bring freezing temperatures to our area this weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for Harris County that will be in effect from 3 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Saturday and a Freeze Watch from 9 p.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents should expect freezing conditions to begin on Saturday morning and hard freeze conditions Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Individuals should use caution while outdoors and should wear appropriate clothing, hat, and gloves. Frostbite and hypothermia are possible if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Stay on the lookout for any broken pipes or leaks. Ensure your pipes are well protected.

Warming Centers: A list of Warming Centers and Shelters can be found at www.ReadyHarris.org. This information, including locations and hours of operations, will be updated as information becomes available. Transportation assistance will be available beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30. If you need transportation assistance to a warming center or shelter, please call 3-1-1.

Preparing Your Home: Residents should follow the “Four P’s” of winter weather preparedness: people, pets, pipes, and plants. Residents are advised to make all necessary winterization preparations by Friday evening.

People:
• Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
• Dress in layers to help keep you warm as the temperature drops.
• Check in with elderly family and neighbors to see if they need help.

Pets:
• Bring pets inside and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
• Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes:
• Protect any exposed outdoor pipes (sprinkler systems should be shut off and properly drained)

Plants:
• Bring potted plants inside or store them in a garage near the interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
• For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering them with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Heater Safety: Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. If not used properly, they can cause fires, severe injuries, and death. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, carpets, curtains, and people.
• Place heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces.
• Never block exits with a heater and keep them out of the way of foot traffic.
• Keep children away from heaters.
• Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets – NEVER use an extension cord.
• Turn off and unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.

Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.

Generator Safety: If you use a generator, remember these important safety tips from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.
• Use portable generators outdoors at least 15-20 feet away from all doors, windows, and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.

Residents should follow local media for forecast updates. Stay informed on how to prepare for extreme cold weather by following HCOHSEM updates at ReadyHarris.org, on social media, and by signing up for ReadyHarris Alerts or ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts.