Some of the coldest temperatures of the season across Arizona are expected Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Freeze warnings are in effect Tuesday night and Wednesday night across the Valley and in Pinal and Pima counties, with lows dipping into the 20s and low 30s.
That means it's time to start preparing to protect the four P's: people, pets, plants and pipes.
People
Yes, this one's obvious.
Big thing here is to stay warm and don't try to be the tough person who "doesn't get cold."
It's going to be cold. Stay warm by wearing jackets, sweaters, long sleeve shirts and pants.
Plants
Freezing temps are no fun for plants. Different plants have different temps at which the cold can damage them.
Bring sensitive plants indoors or completely cover them outdoors.
You can use many different materials to protect your plants, such as frost cloth, blankets, towels, cardboard boxes, styrofoam cups on cacti and liquid frost protection. Plastic will not work.
They say you can also help protect your plants by watering them right after sunrise. This will help generate warmth for the rooting system.
If a plant does get damaged, experts recommend leaving it alone. The damaged leaves can act as a barrier to protect the plant and just be sure to cover it the next time temperatures tumble again.
Pets
Fur only goes so far and little Scruffy isn't a fan of being left out in the freezing weather.
Keep your furry friends inside as temps fall. The cold hurts them too!
Pipes
Nobody wants to deal with frozen pipes and even more so, no one wants to pay to fix burst pipes during the cold weather.
According to Consumer Reports, bursting pipes are some of the "most common causes of property damage during frigid weather."
Here are some ways to prevent pipes from freezing via the American Red Cross:
- If your water supply lines are in your garage, close your garage doors.
- Allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets
- Is it really cold outside? Let cold water drip from faucets that are connected to exposed pipes. "Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing," American Red Cross writes.
- Keep the thermostat at the same temperature ALL day. Your heating bill might be higher, but the repair job for burst pipes will cost you much more.
- Leaving during the freezing temps? Keep the heat on at a temperature 55 degrees or above.