• If you can reach your roof safely, use a roof rake to clear the first 3-4 feet of snow from the roof’s edges immediately following a storm. Be careful to avoid any electrical wiring.
• Clear snow away from all downspouts so gutters can properly drain when snow melts.
• If you notice ice dams have formed, try breaking them apart using a roof rake. Be careful not to damage your roof in the process.
• You can also use a rake to create a channel that allows standing water to safely drain away from your home.
• Another method for creating a channel for water is to fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride and place it vertically across melting snow or ice. Avoid using rock salt because it can be harmful to your roof.

Take extreme care when attempting any of the above tips and make sure not to stand directly beneath the area of roof that you’re clearing. If you cannot reach an area safely, consider hiring a professional.

Inside your home:

• To avoid the threat of frozen pipes, raise the thermostat a few degrees above your normal nighttime setting so the temperature inside exterior walls stays above freezing.
• If your sink, dishwasher or washing machine is located on an exterior wall, leave the cabinet doors and dishwasher open to increase warm airflow.
• Let the water drip slowly from faucets to reduce the pressure build-up in the pipes.

Read more on how to reduce the risk of water damage from the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety and preventing and thawing frozen pipes from the Red Cross and Bunker Hill’s blog.