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Protect Pets, Plants, Pumps

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2008

The National Weather Service says temperatures could fall below freezing over most of the Tampa Bay area for six hours or longer tonight and early Thursday morning.

To Prepare

•Bring pets indoors.

•Keep pool pumps running to prevent the pipes from freezing.

•If your house has exposed water pipes, keep a slow trickle running from an indoor faucet.

•Drain down the water from solar water heating panels on the roof.

•Bring cold-sensitive plants inside if possible.

•If you can't bring the plants inside, cover them with sheets or blankets. Make sure the covers reach to the ground to trap the Earth's heat. Secure covers against the wind.

•Don't try to use your sprinklers to protect the plants the way strawberry growers do. Your household irrigation system cannot produce the volume of water necessary, and the wind will make it difficult to adequately cover the plants.

•Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything flammable and never leave one running when you are out of the room.

Shelters

Shelters will open today for the homeless or anyone in a home without adequate heat. Meals will be provided. For information, call (813) 234-1234.

•Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday. This shelter is for adults only.

•Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday. This shelter is for families.

•Good Samaritan Mission at Bethune Park, 5809 Edina St., Wimauma, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday. This shelter is for adults and families.

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