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It's freezing outside and so are your pipes

January 13, 2009, Bloomington, Illinois—As the nation hunkers down for another blast of bitterly cold weather this week, it’s important to remember dangerously cold temperatures pose hazards to property owners and drivers.

When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, water pipes in homes with little or no insulation are likely to freeze and break. A one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can spew out more than 250 gallons of water a day, destroying floors, soaking furniture, and ruining personal items. Cleaning up after a pipe burst is time consuming and smelly work, made even more difficult by the frigid temperatures.
 
State Farm reminds property owners it’s not too late to prevent property damage or take steps to ensure safe travel.

Avoid frozen pipes by insulating pipes that run along outside walls, floors and ceilings. Disconnect outside garden hoses, wrap exposed pipes with insulating sleeves or tape, and seal foundation cracks that let arctic air freeze pipes in crawlspaces.

There are two simple tasks homeowners can do in about two minutes that can help protect pipes and homes when a severe freeze is predicted:

• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to piping under sinks and vanities near exterior walls.
•  Run a small trickle of water at vulnerable cold and hot faucets.

Travel can be hazardous in frigid conditions, but drivers can protect themselves with these suggestions from the State Farm Vehicle Research Facility:

• Check the Battery – Make sure your battery can withstand freezing temperatures. Older batteries are especially at risk during cold weather, leaving you stranded and vulnerable in the cold.
• Keep Windshield Washer Fluid Tank Full and Change Wipers –Fluid should be able to withstand freezing temperatures. Wipers should be replaced if the windshield view is smeared and hard to see through.
• Prepare a Road Survival Kit – It’s important to have a basic tool set, a first aid kit, blanket, jumper cables, flash light, gloves, a small plastic tarp (to kneel on or lay on in the snow while installing tire chains or changing a flat), and road flares.

For more information

For questions or more information, contact Jeff McCollum, Public Affairs, at (309) 766-0307

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