FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- When the weather report calls for freezing temperatures overnight, you do not want to be rushing outside in the dark to cover cold-sensitive plants.

According to University of Georgia experts, protect plants in containers either by placing them inside a protective structure (house, garage, greenhouse or shed) or by placing a protective covering over them.

“People put a lot of time and expense in caring for their plants,” states Menia Chester, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “It is important for them to know how to protect their investments to nurture them for growth when the weather is cold.”

Container plants are especially susceptible to cold temperatures; their roots are more exposed because they are above ground. Plants with roots that are damaged by cold temperatures may not show immediate signs of damage; these plants will show signs of stress when temperatures rise and the demand for water from the roots are greater.

ATLANTA -- The Fulton County Office of Aging and the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) encourage seniors and their caregivers to be prepared for potential ice and snow.

Recommendations from Aging and AFCEMA include advising seniors to develop a network of neighbors, friends and relatives who can assist them in the event that local weather conditions include ice, snow and subfreezing temperatures.

Seniors should avoid extreme or inclement weather conditions. They should also keep handy a contact list of people and agencies that they can contact if they need emergency assistance.

Fulton County public facilities including Senior Multipurpose Facilities will be closed on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.

Senior citizens are advised to:

• Make prior arrangements with their physician or check with their oxygen supplier about emergency plans for those on respirators or other electric powered medical equipment.

(WXIA) -- The Georgia Department of Transportation is reminding north Georgia residents to be mindful of temperature drops and to turn off their sprinkler systems.

GDOT released this statement Wednesday morning:

Every winter, we have icing issues due to automatically-timed sprinkler systems left on overnight in freezing temperatures. They can create a very hazardous condition for motorists the next morning.

Automatic sprinkler systems are often timed to operate at night, and when spray from the sprinkler is blown onto the road or water drains onto the road, black ice is formed, creating a hazard for motorists.

The Department urges residents and businesses to take a moment and ensure that automatic sprinkler systems are turned off. With sub-freezing termperatures on the way, motorists are cautioned to be on the lookout for icy patches or black ice, especially early in the morning.