BELLINGHAM, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) With record-breaking temperatures in Whatcom County this weekend, issues with frozen plumbing and drafts stealing heat can be a major concern.

Winterizing your home is an important first step to protecting yourself from the cold according to the CDC.

Some of the fixes take a lot of money and effort however, like buying and installing storm windows and adding insulation.

Adding weather stripping around windows and doors takes less resources, and adding window insulation film to windows will act like a second pane for single pane windows.

These kits can cost as low as a few dollars at hardware stores around town or online.

According to Legacy Plumbing, running lukewarm water through your taps doesn’t necessarily prevent freezing.

But it will keep the valves open, so pressure won’t build when the water inside the pipe freezes.

Opening doors to cabinets under sinks will increase airflow to pipes, allowing any heating to reach inside.

Foam covers for outdoor taps will insulate the taps against the brunt of the cold.

And keeping thermostats on a temperature of at least 55 degrees at all times will aid in preventing frozen pipes as well.

The City of Bellingham has this brochure with more information about pipe maintenance during freezing temperatures.