With freezing temperatures forecasted for the week, the City of Midland is urging residents to follow "the four P’s"—protect people, pets, plants, and pipes. The city has shared tips for staying safe, including keeping pets indoors, watering outdoor plants, and allowing water to drip from pipes to prevent freezing.
According to a January 7 Facebook post by the city, a graphic was featured with tips on protecting homes and keeping pets safe in the cold. The post emphasized that people, especially children and the elderly, should be the top priority as they are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The city also recommended dressing in layers, along with hats and gloves, to stay warm.
The city urged pet owners to bring all pets indoors during the cold weather. For those unable to bring their pets inside, Midland recommended providing an enclosed shelter with an entrance facing away from the wind.
In addition to bringing pets indoors, Midland advised residents to take potted plants inside. Outdoor plants should be watered before a freeze to help insulate both the soil and the plants and should be covered if possible.
To prevent pipes from freezing, residents are advised to let water drip from faucets, especially those on exterior walls. The National Weather Service (NWS) has also warned residents to limit outdoor exposure as temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s, with an increased chance of snow throughout the week.