Make sure outside faucet washers are secure. Keep the lid on the water meter box so your meter will not freeze. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the main water shut-off valve is in case a pipe breaks and the water must be shut off in a hurry. If your home is vacant for an extended period, turn off your water supply at the gate valve on the resident s side of the meter box and have a plumber do the work necessary to prepare pipes to prevent damage. During a prolonged freeze, leave cabinet doors open so pipes can get heat.
Lamps placed in some cabinets help keep the area warm.
Keep extra water drawn during freezing weather in case a water main breaks or a frozen pipe cuts off your water supply. Even with extra precautions, freezing weather can cause a pipe to break. If a pipe is frozen, it is safest to call a professional plumber. There is a risk of electrocution in using an electrical appliance to thaw a frozen pipe and having the pipe break. Use your bare hand to find the coldest point on the pipe, which is usually where the ice is.