How do I keep pipes from freezing in winter?

Insulate pipes in unheated spaces like crawl spaces, attics, and garages with foam sleeves or heat tape. During a hard freeze, let faucets drip slightly and disconnect outdoor hoses so a trickle of water keeps the line from freezing solid.

How far should a space heater be from other objects?

At least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, bedding, and curtains. Plug it directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord, and turn it off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

What are the signs of hypothermia and frostbite?

Hypothermia shows as shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, slurred speech, or drowsiness. A body temperature below 95°F is an emergency. Frostbite shows as numbness with white, grayish, firm, or waxy skin. Both can develop indoors during extended outages, not just outside.

What should be in a vehicle winter kit?

Blankets, warm layers, sand or cat litter for traction, an ice scraper, a small shovel, jumper cables, a flashlight, water, and shelf-stable snacks. If you are ever stranded, the car becomes your shelter and this kit is what makes it a safe one.

Seasonal Checklist

Winter Seasonal Checklist. A trickle of water beats a burst pipe.

Winter is the season where a small gap becomes an emergency fast: a burst pipe, a space heater left running, a car stuck on a cold road. This checklist covers protecting the pipes, confirming the heating and safety systems, and being ready if the vehicle becomes the shelter.

3 ft

space heater clearance from anything flammable

95°F

body temperature threshold for hypothermia emergency

32°F

temperature that starts pipe freeze risk

winter kit per vehicle

Task 1

Pipes and Water.

Pipes in unheated spaces are the first thing to fail in a hard freeze. A few minutes of prevention avoids a very expensive repair.

Pipes and Water

Insulate pipes in unheated spaces with foam sleeves or heat tape
Let faucets drip and disconnect outdoor hoses before a hard freeze

Task 2

Heating and Indoor Safety.

Fall service keeps the system running. Winter is about using it safely through the coldest stretch.

Heating System

Have your heating and cooling systems serviced before their season

Indoor Safety

Confirm working carbon monoxide alarms in your home
Give space heaters 3 feet of clearance and never leave them unattended

Task 3

Vehicle and Emergency Readiness.

Know the warning signs of cold-weather illness, and carry what turns a stranded car into a safe shelter.

Vehicle

Build a winter kit for each vehicle

Cold Weather Illness

Learn the signs of hypothermia and frostbite

Backup Power

Keep spare batteries stocked and grouped by size

Gear

Essentials. Start here.

A short list of items covers the pipe, heating, and vehicle risks winter brings.

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