Polar Weather: How To Keep Pipes From Freezing; Should You Warm Car?

ACROSS AMERICA — “Baby, it’s cold out there” is literally putting it mildly to describe the blast of polar air that’ll make it feel like 30 degrees below zero and bring snow and white-out conditions to many parts of America just as the Christmas travel season starts.

The pre-Christmas weather system packing heavy snow and rain and fierce winds could make travel difficult from the high Plains to the Atlantic Seaboard, according to the private weather company AccuWeather.

“This level of cold can be life-threatening,” the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussions. Wind chill warnings and watches over the next several days span across 17 states, from Washington to Texas.

The surge of frigid air could be one of the most prolonged periods of Arctic air at Christmastime in decades. Forecasters expect the eastern two-thirds of the country — from the northern Rockies to the Plains, East and South — to experience subfreezing and, in some cases, subzero temperatures. In some places, temperatures could be 25 to 50 degrees colder than late-December averages, according to AccuWeather.

• Related: Massive Holiday Storm Delivers Snow, Frigid Air To Much Of U.S.

Temperatures that frigid commands respect. Here are some things you should keep in mind, whether you’re staying home or traveling:

Don’t Let Your Pipes Freeze

Quick drops in temperature, poor insulation and thermostats set too low are all common causes of frozen pipes. As temperatures drop, there are few things you can do to reduce the likelihood it will happen to you.

Make sure the doors on attached garages are closed tightly; open cabinet doors to allow air to circulate around wipes; allow a faucet to drip; and keep the thermostat set at a constant temperature. If you’re leaving home for a significant period of time, don’t set it lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. For more: How To Prevent Freezing Pipes

What If The Power Goes Out?

Strong winds increase the potential for power outages from the Midwest to the Northeast, the National Weather Service said. Before the weather front arrives, make sure you have an emergency kit with extra blankets and sleeping bags, candles, flashlights and nonperishable food.

Keep cell phones charged to the extent possible. If you’re charging them in the car — or warming yourself inside the heated car — pull the vehicle out of the garage and close the door securely behind you to prevent carbon monoxide from building up.

If you do lose power, consider getting a portable generator, though these items move quickly from hardware and home improvement stores when the power goes out. Never use it — or kerosene heaters and similar appliances — inside the house or garage.

Plumbers recommend allowing taps to trickle, so standing water won’t freeze, or turning off the water supply entirely, during power outages.

Prepare For The Worst On The Road

As the snow moves in and the wind whips up, you may get an alert on your phone advising that emergency officials have closed highways or are encouraging travelers to stay home.

“With such a large and powerful storm system impacting a majority of the nation during one of the biggest travel weeks of the year, it is imperative that travelers check the latest forecast before venturing out,” the National Weather Service said.

If you are traveling, try to get where you’re going before the storm hits. Whenever you leave, pack your car as if your life depends on it. A winter driving survival kit should include:

• Jumper cables;
• Durable ice scrapper and brush;
• Portable shovel;
• Red bandanna or piece of red fabric to use as a distress signal;
• Sand or cat litter to give tires traction if you get stuck.
• Basic first aid kit;
• Plenty of blankets;
• Mittens, mufflers, hats and boots;
• Snacks and water;
• Flashlight;
• Cellphone charger.

If you do get stuck, make sure snow isn’t blocking the vehicle’s exhaust pipes, which could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide.

Prepare Yourself

Winter cold kills more than twice as many Americans as does summer heat, according to research by the National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A study of data from 2006-10 found that about 2,000 people in the United States die every year from weather-related causes. About 63 percent of these deaths were attributed to exposure to excessive natural cold, hypothermia or both.

In the kind of cold expected, frostbite can occur to exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. If you’re going to be out in the cold for extended periods, dress appropriately for the weather in multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing. Wear moisture-wicking, non-cotton fabrics closest to the body, then top with durable layers that can block wind and precipitation.

Wear gloves, hats, warm socks and take along a scarf or ski mask to shield your face.

Should You Warm Up Your Car?

Whether to let the car warm up as it idles or start it and go regardless of the temperature has been a sizzling cold-weather debate over the years. The century-old publication Popular Mechanics says the long-held notion that you should let your car idle in the cold is only true for carburetor engines. It doesn’t prolong the life of your engine.

In fact, idling is hard on a modern engine, shortening its life by stripping oil away from the engine’s cylinders and pistons. It may not even be legal to idle your car in the driveway. Nearly a dozen states have put the brakes on idling, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.