How To Protect Your Home From The Cold Snap

West Texas didn’t waste any time. The first freeze is already here, the temperatures dropped fast, and a lot of folks are learning the hard way that winter can do real damage, especially to our pipes, pets, and cars. But the good news? You still have time to get ahead of it.

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Just yesterday morning, when I walked into work after the temp dipped to around 30 degrees, my boss looked at me and said, “I’m going home, I woke up to a ruptured pipe and water inside my house.” If that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will.

And before writing this article, I walked back inside from covering all three of my outdoor faucets. I wrapped them in old T-shirts first, then slid on the styrofoam covers I bought at the hardware store. One year, I couldn’t find those covers anywhere, so I improvised with a small bucket, a milk jug, a plastic soda bottle (as you will see in the video below), and a jumbo-size Styrofoam cup. It wasn’t pretty… but it worked.

This freeze is here now, but West Texans still have time to protect their homes.

Protect Your Pipes Before They Pop

• Cover outdoor faucets with styrofoam covers, rags, towels, or T-shirts - anything is better than nothing.
• Let indoor faucets drip slightly overnight.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.
• Insulate exposed pipes with pipe wrap or swimming pool noodles (cheap and they work).
• If you’re leaving home tonight, do not turn the heat completely off, keep it at least 60°.

A $3 styrofoam cover can save you a $3,000 repair bill.

Check on Elderly Neighbors and Anyone Living Alone

Cold snaps hit seniors hardest.
Do a quick check:

• Are their heaters working?
• Do they have blankets?
• Are their faucets dripping?
• Do they have transportation if something goes wrong?

Sometimes a five-minute visit prevents a tragedy.

Don’t Forget Your Pets, They Feel the Cold First

West Texas coyotes get bolder in winter, but so does the cold itself.

• Bring pets inside at night.
• Add straw or extra bedding to outdoor shelters.
• Make sure water bowls aren’t freezing over.
• Walk dogs during warmer daylight hours.

If you’re cold, they’re freezing.

Protect Your Vehicle Before You Wake Up to Trouble

• Check tire pressure. Cold air drops PSI fast.
• Make sure your battery isn’t weak (winter kills old batteries).
• Top off coolant and windshield washer fluid.
• Let your car run for a few minutes before driving, protect the engine.

Cold weather is tough on cars, but simple steps make a huge difference.

A Fearless Fernandez Final Word

I’ve lived through enough West Texas winters to know this:
You can’t stop the cold, but you can stop the damage.

Take a few minutes today, right now, and protect your home, your pets, your neighbors, and your vehicle. This freeze came fast, but West Texans are tougher and smarter than the weather.

Read More: West Texas Travelers: Beware the 5 Deadliest Roads in Texas