Update to an earlier report: This article includes new information about a story we previously covered. Read our earlier report.
A forecast for the Augusta area calls for the season’s first frost and freeze, with below-normal daytime highs and cold nights continuing into early next week. The cold could increase heating costs and fire hazards, making preparations for homes, pets and outdoor plants important.
The outlook placed a strong cold-front passage on Thursday, followed by the leading edge of colder air Friday. It advised protecting sensitive plants before frost or freezing nights and giving outdoor pets extra shelter, bedding or a warm indoor space. Adjusting watering schedules can also help protect tender lawns and garden plants.
Lower heating use without skipping comfort
Georgia Power spokesperson Matthew Kent recommends checking for drafts around doors. If daylight shows through, he advises sealing the gap with caulk or weatherstripping. Kent also suggests using a programmable thermostat to switch off the heat when residents are away.
Daylight can help warm a room: Kent recommends opening blinds while the sun shines in, then closing them as the sun moves away. Keeping air filters clean and vents unobstructed can also help a heating system work less. Space heaters should be used only for supplemental heat, not to warm bedding or dry clothes.
Use space heaters and fireplaces carefully
The U.S. Fire Administration identifies heating as one of the leading causes of residential fires nationwide. The Electrical Safety Foundation International reports more than 65,000 home fires linked to heating equipment each year, along with hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage.
Local fire crews say space heaters and fireplaces are among the cold-weather hazards they encounter. Wood-burning fireplaces that have gone years without inspection can pose chimney-fire risks from creosote buildup or unchecked damage. Older space heaters may not have automatic shutoffs if tipped over, and damaged or overheated units can cause electrical fires.
Before using a space heater, check its plug, connections and cord for cracks, looseness or fraying; do not use a damaged unit. Keep heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn, and turn them off when leaving the room or going to bed. Do not run one while sleeping, and place it away from busy areas where children or pets could knock it over. Install smoke alarms on every floor and test them monthly.
Victoria Sterling
News Now Georgia