Freezing temperatures: Expert tips to protect pets, pipes, plants, and people

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- As freezing temperatures and snow blanket the Borderland, it's crucial to take steps to protect yourself, your home, and your furry friends.

ABC-7 spoke with experts, including Dr. Cynthia Saenz, owner of Canutillo Veterinary Hospital, and Rudy Valtierra, a master plumber with Innovative Trades, to provide actionable tips.

For your pets, Dr. Saenz emphasizes bringing them indoors whenever possible. For larger animals, she advises, "Keep them in a barn and make sure they have plenty of hay." She also warns about frostbite on areas like ears and paws, saying, "We can start off with just kind of a redness on the tips, but eventually it can turn black, and that part of the skin dies and can slough off."

For plants, protect them by using freeze blankets, adding mulch, or bringing them indoors.

For pipes, Valtierra advises insulating them or wrapping them with old towels or rags. He also confirms the effectiveness of letting faucets drip, explaining, "It’s a true statement to have a dripping faucet. It prevents the water from sitting too long, where ice crystals form and cause freezing." If pipes do freeze and burst, he stresses, "Shut it off at the city or your first available shut-off."

Finally, for people, limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors to ensure their safety during the cold snap.

Stay tuned to ABC-7 for continued coverage and expert advice on navigating this winter storm