Pipes and Plumbing
The simple action of letting a faucet do this can prevent pipes from freezing on a cold night.
What is dripping (or trickling) water?
The minimum safe distance, in feet, that a space heater should be kept from curtains, bedding, or furniture.
What is three feet?
When thinking of fluffy, the rule of thumb is "if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for..."
Who are your pets?
These elevated structures freeze much faster than the rest of the road.
What are bridges (and overpasses)?
This is the plant people traditionally kiss underneath, a custom that traces its roots to ancient Norse mythology and Celtic traditions.
What is Mistletoe?
The two rooms in a house most likely to have uninsulated pipes near exterior walls, making them vulnerable to freezing.
What are the kitchen and the bathroom?
You should always plug a space heater directly into this, never into an extension cord or power strip.
What is a wall outlet?
For Low Country gardeners, using this "fabric" is better than plastic for covering sensitive tropical plants.
What is burlap(or old blankets/sheets)?
When driving in icy conditions, you should significantly increase this distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you.
What is stopping distance (or following distance)?
The tradition of the Yule Log comes from ancient Germanic and Celtic winter solstice festivals known by this name.
What is Yule (or Yuletide)?
When freezing temperatures are forecast, homeowners should open these to allow warmer interior air to circulate near the pipes under the sink.
What are cabinet doors?
Before lighting your first fire of the season, you should have this professional inspect your chimney for creosote.
What is a chimney sweep?
This condition, caused by low body temperature, can happen even in 50°F weather if you are wet or in the wind.
What is hypothermia?
If your car starts to skid, you should steer in this direction to regain control.
What is the direction of the skid?
This popular Christmas song, recorded by Bing Crosby, holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling single of all time.
What is "White Christmas"?
The safe household appliance to use for slowly thawing a frozen pipe, rather than a torch or stove.
What is an electric hairdryer (or heat gun)?
This "silent killer" can build up if you use a gas oven or a charcoal grill to heat your home.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
This "salty" substance used to melt ice on sidewalks can actually irritate your dog’s paws.
What is rock salt(or ice melt)?
This common household item kept in your trunk can provide traction if your tires get stuck on a patch of ice.
What is kitty litter (or sand)?
Due to a highly successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, many people in this Asian country traditionally eat KFC for their Christmas dinner.
What is Japan?
If a pipe bursts, the first thing you must locate and turn off immediately to stop the water flow.
What is the main water shut-off valve?
These should be tested monthly, but especially before winter when heating equipment is turned on for the first time.
What are Smoke and CO Detectors?
In an emergency kit, you should have 1 gallon of this per person, per day, for at least three days.
What is water?
This "invisible" hazard is a thin coating of highly transparent ice that looks like a puddle on the road.
What is black ice?
In parts of Italy, this friendly witch figure, rather than Santa Claus, delivers gifts to children on the eve of the Epiphany (January 5th).
Who is La Befana?