How to Protect You and Your House from Extreme Cold Temperatures

With record-breaking cold temperatures taking over a majority of the US, it is time to start looking at how you can protect yourself and your house from the extreme cold temperatures. The extreme cold weather can be hard on both you and your home. Here are some tips to put into practice when freezing weather hits your area.

Dressing for the Weather

• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight; warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

How to Deal with Frozen Pipes

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
• Cover outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
• Turn off water to outside faucets, if available.
• Close garage doors.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks.
• Drip hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath.

How to Keep Warm in Your House

• Keep drapes and blinds closed, except when windows are in direct sunlight.
• Put up storm windows, or install sheet plastic window insulation kits on the inside of windows.
• Run paddle ceiling fans on low in reverse (clockwise when looking up) to circulate warm air.

With temperatures dropping dangerously low in many areas, frostbite can occur in as little as 10-minutes. The best advice you can adhere to, during this extreme cold, is to just stay inside and not venture out unless necessary.