CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bitter cold is raising safety concerns across the Carolinas, as temperatures struggle to get above freezing.
The snowy weather is complicating travel with some cars seen stopped or abandoned in the mountains this week.
“We just kind of had to truck it out of here. Got stuck for like, three, four hours. Finally, able to make it down the mountain," Luke Fisher said, after traveling through the Beech Mountain area.
Travelers still aren't out of the woods with more than 30 hours of freezing cold expected over the weekend.
Experts are turning focus to the three P's - people, pets, and pipes - to keep those in the area safe.
When it comes to people - heating safety is a must.
"Don’t let something so trivial as an extension cord be the reason why you lose everything you own," Sheila Crunkleton with the American Red Cross said.
The best way to use heating appliances like space heaters is to plug them directly into the wall with nothing else plugged in, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away, and don't leave the devices running over night.
As for pets, experts say owners should bring them inside in cold weather.
If that's not possible, make sure their place outside is enclosed, dry, and out of the wind.
"A comforter or blanket, a lot of people want to tend to put those types of things in," Melissa Knicely with CMPD Animal Care and Control said. "Once they get wet and they get cold, they stay wet and cold and it does not provide any comfort for your pet. Straw tends to dry out quick and it stays warmer."
For pipes, Rob McClintock with McClintock Heating and Cooling said, "If you can insulate those pipes on the exterior, that helps, but keeping some running water going will help prevent it from freezing.”
Cold temperatures are expected to continue through the weekend, with a warm up expected in the days ahead.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.