Avoid Costly Disasters: Two Winter Hazards Illinois Homeowners Miss

If you stepped outside in Northern Illinois today, it probably felt like all your nose hairs and eyelashes froze together, and we've still got many hours of deep freeze ahead of us.

READ MORE: 3 Numbers Every IL Driver Needs To Remember This Winter

Unfortunately, this is the kind of cold that doesn’t just make your car and body mad at you, it can also cause serious problems around your home if you’re not paying attention.

Cold Weather Warnings for Illinois Homeowners

When temps drop well below zero, there is an important list of things Illinois homeowners need to do:

• Make sure driveways and sidewalks aren't pure sheets of ice.
• Prevent pipes from freezing by dripping faucets and opening the cabinet doors of sinks along exterior walls.
• Check that fireplace chimneys are free of debris.
• Have the furnace checked and change the filter.

While we're all worried about keeping our homes insulated and warm, many of us forget to check for two dangerous problems outside.

Two Things To Check For Outside During Extreme Cold

Northern Illinois may not be dealing with a bunch of snow and ice right now, but there's still a good chance one or both of these problems can be found outside your home.

1. Blocked Furnace Exhaust Pipes

Most of our furnaces are running non-stop right now, which can leave a lot of condensation in the pipe. Make sure to step outside and check that it's not frozen over, so you don't risk carbon monoxide building up in your home.

2. Frozen Gas Meters

Frozen gas meters can lead to several problems including leaving your home with no heat or hot water!

How to Thaw Frozen Exhaust Pipes and Gas Meters

If your furnace exhaust pipe or gas meter is frozen, please DO NOT use open flames or boiling water to thaw them!

Here are some common household items you can use to thaw frozen pipes according to the American Red Cross:

• Hair dryers
• Heating pads
• Towels soaked in warm water