Residents brace for freezing temperatures across Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With freezing temperatures creeping into the Central Valley, people are wasting no time flocking into local stores to prepare themselves for it.

"We have to kind of adapt and our plants to the weather," Rick Jackson of Oakhurst said.

"What do I need to do?," Steve Ganner with Orchard Supply Hardware said. "I've got this, I've got that, how can I protect it?"

Those are the kind of questions, Ganner was getting all day at the Clovis location.

"This was 48 rolls," he said pointing at rolls of insulation. "So you can see what's left, one and three."

He says they have been busy all day helping people pick out frost protectors for plants and covers for pipes.

"How many people would you say have come in?" an Action News reporter asked.

"I'd have to go look, but at least 500 and that's a lot of people," Ganner said.

Space heaters are another hot item that's selling out quick, but the purchase of a heater can come with some potential risk. One year ago, a Fresno family's home caught fire because of the portable device.

"Going through a structure fire is probably one of the most traumatic experiences a family can go through," Jim Domico with the Clovis Fire Department said.

Domico says if you are going to use a space heater, there are things you should not do.

"Don't use extension cords because it's a high power," he said. "Also, by running cords under carpet or throw rugs, the wires can get pinched and cause a fire."

The National Fire Protection Association also says you should keep anything that can burn including bedding, curtains or furniture at least three feet away from a space heater. It also suggests to not put them in a child's bedroom or in a damp or wet area.

Domico says these tips could help protect you and your family.

"Just take a few extra seconds make sure your space heater is secure, no one is going to touch it," he said. "It could save you a lot of heartache this holiday season."