An average of a quarter-million families have their pipes freeze and burst during an average winter, according to State Farm Insurance.

To help keep frozen pipes from being a drain on your wallet, try these seven tips from the Mr. Rooter plumbing company:

• Cover faucets and exposed pipes with insulation, or wrap them with thick towels.

• Open cabinet doors. This allows heat to circulate and keeps interior pipes warm.

• Keep faucets running with a small trickle of water or constant drip.

• Secure basement doors, windows, and crawl space openings.

• Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets.

• Open outside hose taps so water can drain.

• Apply electrically-powered heat tape.
  
  AND BE SURE and wrap the "sprinkler system" pipes too; they are very prone to bursting in freezing weather.

If these tips DON'T work and your pipes still freeze, use these four steps to thaw them:

• Turn off the water at the shut-off valve.

• Open the nearest faucet. This allows water to drain out as the ice melts.

• Heat the exterior of the pipe with a hair dryer. Apply heat slowly and DON'T keep heat in one spot.

• Do not attempt to thaw exposed frozen pipes with an open flame, such as an acetylene torch.

If immediate repairs are needed, you should call a qualified plumber.

Source: MARKETWIRE