With temperatures at or below Zero Degrees, here is a quick list of things you can do to keep your home safe this winter:
Protect Your Pipes! Keep water flowing at indoor faucets that are located on exterior walls. Set to a slow drip on BOTH the hot and cold sides – and leave the cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing
Know where your main shut off is. Sub-zero temperatures can cause pipes to freeze. If this happens, there may be a burst pipe when it warms up. It is important to be able to shut the water off at the main supply.
Traveling during the winter? Have someone check in on your home every few days during the cold weather to make sure the heat is on and water is still flowing. (And, to open cabinet doors to protect your pipes.)
Disconnect all garden hoses from exterior hose bibs. (Before cold weather hits, the exterior hose bibs/spigots should be properly shut off, drained and winterized.)
Check your HVAC exhaust pipes. Blowing and drifting snow can pile up in front of the vents and block them. This will usually result in the furnace locking out to protect you against carbon monoxide from backing up into the house. A locked-out furnace is not heating your house. (It is recommended to also have a working carbon monoxide detector at each floor of your home.)
Check your thermostat. try to keep your thermostat settings as consistent as possible during the day and the night. Since steady temperatures will help keep your pipes free of ice, avoid any sudden changes in the environment of your home.