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9mo ago

Houston Braces for Hard Freeze as Shoppers Crowd Hardware Stores

Fire officials urge safe heater and generator use as demand spikes for freeze and backup-power supplies.

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What items do you pull out of the closet or add to your shopping cart when the temperature drops outside?
Kenneth Henderson carries a case of donated water back to his home, which was without running water after the recent winter storm, Feb. 26, 2021, in Houston. Winter weather brings various hazards that people have to contend with to keep warm and safe. These dangers can include carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia and frozen pipes that can burst and make homes unlivable. Public safety officials and experts say there are multiple ways people can prepare themselves to avoid these hazards and keep themselves safe. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)

Overview

  • Hardware stores report heavy foot traffic, and Southland Hardware owner Marty O’Brien cautions shoppers not to wait to buy essentials.
  • Top sellers include pipe insulation, faucet covers, space heaters, batteries, flashlights, and—new this week—phone chargers and portable power banks for potential outages.
  • The Houston Fire Department’s Senior Captain Raul Reyes advises keeping space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn and plugging them directly into wall outlets.
  • Officials warn to operate generators only outdoors at least 20 feet from homes and to rely on working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, with flashlights favored over candles.
  • The event is not expected to match February 2021’s severity, yet experts still urge pipe protection by wrapping exposed lines and opening sink cabinet doors, and many residents remain concerned about power loss.