Extreme Cold

Is cold weather a threat in the Sunshine State?

YES. During the harsh winter of 1989-1990, 26 Floridians died of hypothermia. Because of normally mild temperatures, Florida homes often lack adequate heating and insulation and the Florida outdoor lifestyle leads to danger for those not prepared. In addition to the actual temperature, when the wind blows, a wind chill (the temperature that it feels like) is experienced on exposed skin. When freezing temperatures, or low wind chills are expected, the National Weather Service will issue warnings or advisories.

Download these important documents:

• Cold Weather Guide from the Center for Disease Control
• NOAA Wind Chill Chart
• Ice Driving Tips

Remember the 5 Ps of cold weather preparedness

• Protect People
• Protect Plants
• Protect Pets
• Protect Exposed Pipes
• Practice Fire Safety

Protecting People

• Stay indoors, dress warmly and use safe heating sources.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and eat high-caloric foods.
• If outdoors:
• Dress warmly.
• Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellant. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
• Keep dry.
• Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
• Wind Chill - One of the gravest dangers of winter weather is wind chill. The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin by combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also effected by wind chill.

Plants

• First water your plants thoroughly. The water will act as an insulator. Dry plants are more susceptible to freezing.
• Next, cover them with a breathable material like Easy Gardeners Fast Start Plant and Seed Blanket. Contrary to popular belief covering your plants with plastic sheets is not the best thing to do. Fabric has more of an insulating effect. Plus, when the sun comes out the plastic can actually bake your plants if you forget to remove it.
• Another tip is to put mulch at the base of your plants, and don't prune prior to a freeze because it encourages soft growth, which is susceptible to freezing. There are plenty of plants that a light freeze will not harm. Mulching helps all of them. Spraying the leaves of plants with liquid seaweed will also toughen them against cold.
• If at all possible, move what you can inside, especially if temperatures dip below 32 degrees. That's the point when your tender plants are in danger. A hard freeze happens when we hit 26 degrees, which can be devastating to crops.

Pets

• Don't leave pets out in the cold!
• Bring all pets indoors and make sure they have a warm blanket to lie on, as well as plenty of food and water.
• If pets are brought into a garage, make sure they have blankets, food and water, while toxins, such as antifreeze and bleach, are out of their reach.
• If pets must stay outdoors, provide a dog/cat house or other type of shelter and line bottom with plenty of blankets or hay along with extra food and water. The food and water will metabolize and keep their bodies warm. Another idea is to put a light bulb / flood light in the house at a safe distance. The heat from the bulb will help keep them warm. (Do not use light bulbs when bedding with hay.)
• All animals have the right to shelter and it is the responsibility of the pet owner to provide that no matter what the season.

Pipes

When water freezes, it expands. If ice forms in your home's water pipes, it can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture by taking a few simple measures to protect your home.

• Use faucet covers, or wrap rags, paper, trash bags, or plastic foam around faucets and outdoor pipes.
• Cover any vents around your home´s foundation.
• Bring water hoses indoors.
• Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around water pipes.
• Insulate your outdoor water meter box, and be sure its lid is on tight.
• Protect outdoor electrical pumps.
• If you have a swimming pool, either drain the circulation system or keep the pump motor running. (Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could damage it.)
• Let faucets drip, but don't run a big stream of water.
• If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. (Make sure the faucets are turned off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.)
• If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility for instructions on protecting your water heater.

• Turn off your water at the shut-off valve.
• Call a plumber for help.
• Don't use lamps or electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Leaking water from thawing pipes could cause a short and you could be electrocuted.
• If you try to thaw your own pipes, apply heat slowly, and move it toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot - cracking ice can shatter a pipe.

• Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Follow as soon as possible with a written claim to protect your rights.
• Review your coverage. Homeowners and renters policies pay for property repair. In addition, they pay for debris removal and for temporary additional living expenses if you have to move.
• If you can't find your policy, ask your agent or company for a copy.
• Homeowners policies may require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. Your policy covers the cost of these repairs. Keep all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making repairs. Don´t make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage.
• Be advised that most homeowners policies do not cover loss caused by freezing pipes while your house is unoccupied unless you have used reasonable care to
• maintain heat in the building
• shut off the water supply
• drain plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems of water.

Practice Fire Safety

• Use extra care with supplemental heating units.
• Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit.
• Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended.
• Most importantly, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure it is working properly.
• Safety tips for carbon monoxide
• Install UL approved carbon monoxide detectors.
• Have appliances using combustible fuels installed by a professional and checked at least once a year for proper ventilation.
• Never run your car in the garage with the garage door closed.
• Check your vehicles for exhaust leaks.
• Never use a gas range to heat your home.
• Never burn charcoal in an unventilated area.
• Never adjust your own pilot light.
• Check chimneys and flues for proper ventilation.
• Never use an unvented combustion heater indoors.
• Avoid smoking indoors.