Brace Yourself for the Upcoming Chill: 15 Tips to Protect Your Home from Freezing Temperatures

Surviving the Big Freeze: Your Friendly Winter Home Survival Guide ❄️

When the temperature dips into “brrr” territory, your home needs some extra love. From cozy indoors to ice-free outdoors, here’s how to keep things safe, warm, and worry-free this winter.

Inside the House: Stay Toasty, Stay Safe! 🏠

Winter-ready already? Brilliant! But when the chill arrives, take these extra steps to protect your home:
🔹 Keep the heat at 65°F or higher.
Pipes live in cooler wall spaces, so turning the thermostat down too much risks freezing pipes—and a frosty headache.
🔹 Know your main water shutoff.
Locate it now (you’ll thank yourself later) and learn how to turn it off in case of emergencies.
🔹 Drip, drip, hooray!
Let hot and cold faucets drip slowly (not run) during severe cold spells. Moving water = fewer frozen pipes.
🔹 Check your heat sources.
Ensure fireplaces, wood stoves, and electric heaters are safe to use. Keep flammable items far away and monitor them closely, especially on first use.
🔹 Close your fireplace flue.
When not in use, seal it up to keep heat inside.
🔹 Neighborly check-ins.
If you’re away, enlist a friendly neighbor to keep an eye out for frozen pipes or leaks. Long trip planned? Have a pro drain your water system to avoid nasty surprises.

Outside the House: Beat the Snow and Ice! ❄️

A vigilant eye can keep winter’s wrath from causing costly damage. Here’s your checklist:
🔹 Clear pathways.
Keep sidewalks and entrances ice-free to prevent slips and trips.
🔹 Mind your gutters.
Ice dams can cause water to sneak into your home. Clear leaves and debris now for smoother snow runoff later.
🔹 Protect your pool.
Run your pool pump overnight when temps hit freezing—moving water keeps pipes safe.
🔹 Shut your garage doors.
Keep out the cold and protect what’s inside. Bonus: It helps retain heat if the garage is attached to your home.
🔹 Trim risky branches.
Ice and snow can turn tree limbs into wrecking balls. Cut back weak or damaged branches before they fall.

When Trouble Strikes: Don’t Panic! 🚨

Sometimes winter throws a curveball, but fast action can save the day:
🔹 Frozen pipes?
Thaw them quickly or call a pro. Avoid waiting for a burst to create chaos.
🔹 Burst pipe?
First, turn off the water (you know where that shutoff is now, right?). Then tackle cleanup and drying to prevent mold.
🔹 Contact your insurer.
Your homeowners policy likely covers deep freeze disasters. Call your insurance professional ASAP for help with claims.

Stay warm, stay safe, and let your home be your winter sanctuary! Questions about prepping your home for cold weather? Drop them below. ❄️✨

Helpful Resources:

• A winter storm with heavy snow is forecast for much of the U.S. this weekend – South Carolina Public Radio – https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/2025-01-02/a-winter-storm-with-heavy-snow-is-forecast-for-much-of-the-u-s-this-weekend
• Winter Weather: How to Protect Your Home – South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) – https://doi.sc.gov/1002/Winter-Weather-How-to-Protect-Your-Home
• The homeowner’s severe cold weather survival guide – Insurance Information Institute (iii) – https://www.iii.org/article/tips-surviving-severe-cold-weather
• Freezing Weather Maintenance Checklist (download) – South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance (SCFBINS ) – https://www.scfbins.com/sites/default/files/images/content/Article%20Photos/WinterWeatherChecklistInfographic.pdf
• Protecting Your Home During Extreme Cold Weather – Today’s Homeowner – https://todayshomeowner.com/weather/guides/how-to-protect-your-home-during-extreme-cold-weather/
• Building An Emergency Preparedness Kit – American Red Cross – https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2019/national-preparedness-month-how-to-build-your-emergency-kit.html
• How to Prepare your Home for Freezing Temperatures, Ice and Snow – Home Comfort Alliance – https://homecomfortalliance.com/blog/news/hvac-systems/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-freezing-temperatures-ice-and-snow/
• Winter Safety – National Weather Service (NWS) – https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter
• Winter Hazard Infographics – NWS – https://www.weather.gov/wrn/winter_hazard_infographics
• Get Your Home Ready Before Winter Weather Strikes – SCFBINS – https://www.scfbins.com/articles/get-your-home-ready-winter-weather-strikes
• Protect your home from winter weather – iii – https://www.iii.org/article/protect-your-home-from-winter-weather