Cold Snap Brings Shoppers to Local Stores
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We are getting ready for some frigid weather in Central and South Alabama. For many people, the period before a cold snap is a time to shop for weather-proofing essentials. That’s good news for local business.
As we get ready for temperatures to drop below freezing, customers are heading to stores and stocking up on gear they need to protect their homes for the freezing weather.
Ready or not, the cold is coming.
“I am looking forward to it and hopefully some snow. Hopefully it’ll snow,” said Alice Holt, who lives in Montgomery.
The weather has some people heading to stores like Lowe’s in Montgomery, including Charles McGough.
“I’m stocking up on firewood. It’s going to be cold. It’s winter, so it’s time to do it,” he said.
Other popular items for this cold snap are pipe covers, insulators and space heaters. Some people are even shelling out for bigger-ticket items like fireplaces.
“We’ve got an RV with us and we’re looking for a fireplace to put in it to keep the temperature off of it tonight,” said Marvin Ratley.
So what can you do to protect your home?
“Take care of any exposed pipes you might have, so definitely wrap them with a pipe wrap or whatever you have. Any faucet outlets, of course, getting covers and making sure your windows are all locked and sealed and shut to protect them from the cold,” said Lowe’s Manager James Baker.
But Baker says not everything you hear you should do is true, like running your faucets all night.
“That’s more of an urban myth. The main thing is getting to any exposed pipes of anything that’s going to be out to the weather or the wind
And he says this cold snap is good for business.
“It helps boosts those sales of those items, that normally, when we have the 70 or 80 degree temperatures, we normally don’t sell, so it normally does,” said Baker.
When you are weather-proofing your home, you should also remember your pets and your plants. Make sure you bring them inside, so they’ll also survive the freezing temperatures.
Fire officials say you should take precautions when using space heaters or electric fireplaces. Make sure to keep them away from flammable materials and never leave it on while you leave, or alone with a child.
