‘Midwinter-style’ weather about to hit GA. Here’s how to keep homes, pets & plants safe

According to AccuWeather experts, a “midwinter-style cold blast” is coming to Georgia and other parts of the country soon, which will impact over 100 million people.

Temperatures will be 10-15 degrees below historical averages for this time of year and could dip into the 20s.

So, if you haven’t already, you’ll want to break out the winter clothes, coats, boots and blankets. But what else should you prepare while you have time? Here are some expert tips to protect your home, pets and plants in cold weather.

How to keep your home safe in cold weather

Consumer Reports writer Paul Hope said to do the following when preparing your home for winter weather:

• Protect your indoor pipes
• Insulate your attic
• Service your furnace and chimney 
• Inspect your home for cracks, leaks and more

Additionally, Georgia Power experts said to winterize your home by checking your thermostat when the cold snap comes.

“Set your manual thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. Each degree lower can result in a 3-4% decrease in energy consumption. Or take advantage of programmable thermostat features if available to save energy throughout the day,” according to Georgia Power’s website.

How to keep pets safe in winter weather

“Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and generally should be kept inside,” according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Here are some tips to follow:

• Make sure your pet has had their wellness exam. Colder weather can worsen some conditions. 
• Provide plenty of cozy, warm sleeping areas for indoor pets
• Know their limits outside, but stay inside most of the time
• Play dress-up: dress your pet in a sweater or coat
• Avoid ice when walking your pet outside
• Get a medical kit and emergency bag ready with food, water and medications
• If you have livestock, blankets are nice, but also provide a structural shelter with dry bedding

How to keep your plants safe when it gets cold

While your home and pets are important, let’s not forget plants need some protection, too.

“You’ll need to bring plants and flowering trees inside before the first cold snap. Typically, you should bring your plants in before temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit,” said experts at Lowe’s.

Also consider getting frost blankets, bags or netting for outdoor plants.

Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

Chelsea Madden

The Telegraph

Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.