Central Texans Prepare for Approaching Cold Front - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

(KCEN) -- Last weekend we had record breaking high temperatures for December.

But as Patrick told us all that is about to change for the next few days.

Central Texans have flocked to hardware stores to protect their plants and pipes.

All month, Steve Marsh has been able to wear short sleeves.

But when he heard that a cold front was coming in, he didn't take any chances.

Especially after what happened to his house several years ago.

"The temperature never got above freezing for about a week everything in my house froze. All of the outside spickets froze up into the house," Marsh says.

He said that water damages and repairs cost him close to $5,000.

To avoid that he spent just under a dollar on pipe covers to prevent them from cracking.

Lowe's employee Kevin Schaumburg says, "Those pipes, it's good to come in and get those pipe warmers and prevent them from bursting. You won't have to come in later for repairs."

Temple Fire Department tells us the best way to keep you and your house safe is just use common sense.

Thomas Pechal of Temple Fire says, "Trying to stay warm, they move the space heater close to something. We've even responded to calls where someone has fallen asleep and the space heater was close to their bed."

One of the most important things to remember when keeping you house warm in the colder months is 36 inches. Keep your things 36 inches away from your fire place and your portable space heater."

And if you're looking to keep your electricity bill down...

"Make sure I have plenty of fire wood for those people who have fireplaces you know. That always helps reduce the utility bills," says Bill Dunn.

For Steve, it's pennies on the dollar that give him peace of mind.

"Hey! 97 cents of prevention! haha!"

Preparing you and your home, once it starts feeling like the winter.

If you have a garden with sensitive plants nurseries tells us to put a protective sheet if temperatures get below 40 degrees.