What you need to know
The Greater Houston region saw the arrival of an arctic front on Jan. 5 which brought freezing temperatures to the majority of the area, leading officials to issue warnings to residents about safe heating practices. Gov. Greg Abbott activated statewide emergency response teams in the event of severe weather issues.
“Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country,” said Vanessa Valdez, regional communications manager for the Texas Gulf Coast Region Red Cross. “But there are steps people can take to avoid having this happen to them. Help keep your family safe by providing at least 3 feet of space around all heating equipment, testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan.”
Some of the tips shared by the Red Cross include:
- Do not leave space heaters unattended during use
- Do not use stoves, cooking ranges or ovens to heat a home
- Keep children at least 3 feet away from heating sources
- Do not use generators or grills indoors for heat or power
“[Houston Fire Department] reminds everyone that 'Space Heaters Need Space.' Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that will burn, including bedding, holiday decorations, curtains, clothing and carpet," Houston Fire Department officials said in a news release.
“Remember to protect the 'Four Ps,' people, pets, pipes, and plants," city of Houston Office of Emergency Management officials said in a news release. "We encourage everyone to prepare now, have a plan in place, and stay informed.”
“Our office is monitoring the severe weather risk today and will push out warnings and watches as needed if issued by the National Weather Service," Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials said in a news release. "Make final winterization preparations now. Pipes, pets and plants need to be protected."
Stay tuned
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said that despite the cold snap, grid conditions should support the needs of Texans in affected areas and not cause widespread power outages.
Officials said residents should avoid being outside for prolonged periods of time during periods of freezing temperatures and protect all pets and plants by bringing them indoors. While Fort Bend County has been the only Houston area location to open warming centers, there are a number of public facilities across the Houston region providing shelter and community services, listed here.
