Florida cold snap: How to protect pets, plants, pipes and people

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s not every day that Florida faces a cold snap, but when it happens, the frigid temperatures can catch residents off guard.

With temperatures dropping in Jacksonville and surrounding areas, it’s time to focus on the Four Ps: People, Pets, Plants & Pipes.

Protecting Your Pipes

News4JAX made a visit to Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric on Tuesday where Operations Manager Rich Cardona shared some practical advice about plumbing.

“The plumbing is a flow of water that goes through your entire house,” Cardona explained. “When the water is moving, that’s great. But when it stops, that’s when you have the potential for pipes to freeze.”

Related: Coldest day in a year prompts first-ever Cold Weather Advisory in Jacksonville

Keeping water flowing through your pipes is essential. Running a small trickle of water from a faucet during freezing temperatures can help prevent issues.

Electric Safety in the Cold

For those using space heaters, Cardona stressed the importance of plugging them into a dedicated circuit.

“If your electrical panel trips a breaker after you plug in a space heater, it’s not a good outlet to use,” he said. “Dedicated circuits, like the ones used for microwaves or garage door openers, are better options. Avoid running space heaters with a bunch of extension cords.”

Caring for Your Pets

Cold weather isn’t just tough on humans—it’s hard on pets, too.

The Jacksonville Humane Society advises keeping pets indoors during cold weather. “If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet,” the society says, “and don’t forget community cats—they need shelter, too.”

The City of Jacksonville posted these tips when it comes to protecting your pets:

If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets

• Bring all pets inside and out of the cold temperatures
• If you are unable to bring pets inside you must provide a shelter that protects from cold winds and rain, along with access to clean, unfrozen water

Contrary to popular belief, pets are not insulated from the cold just because they have fur. Just as with people, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can cause conditions such as hypothermia, frostbite and even death in animals.

Saving Your Plants

Michelle Morgan, owner of Kuhn Flowers, had advice for keeping plants safe from frost.

“If they’re outside during colder weather and it dips lower, you need to cover them to protect them from frost,” she explained. “It could be a blanket or a tarp—anything that keeps the humidity in and prevents frost from settling on them.”

According to Earth Works in Jacksonville, there are some more specific steps you can take to keep plants safe:

1. Understanding Chilling Temperatures: Temperatures between 32°F and 59°F can stress tropical plants, leading to wilting, yellowing, and reddish-brown spots.
2. Location and Exposure: Planting sensitive species away from areas with northern exposure and using hardier plants as windbreaks can provide additional protection.
3. Post-Chill Care: After chill exposure, ensure plants are adequately watered and avoid immediate fertilization to reduce stress.

Related 2022 Video: How to protect plants and property

Warming Stations for People

Among all the essential “Ps,” people are the most important. The City of Jacksonville has provided a list of all the warming stations available throughout the area.

Locations and details are available on the city’s website, offering a safe place for those who need relief from the cold.