HOW TO PREPARE FOR A HARD FREEZE

Greetings, I'm Anya with Grunt Goat Tactical. Cold weather is approaching fast, and I want to share this life-saving information with you.

I've spent the last 10 years living on a farm in the North Georgia mountains, where self-reliance isn't optional - it's survival. I've seen firsthand what happens when people aren't prepared for hard freezes: burst pipes flooding homes at 2 AM, house fires where frozen hoses prevented homeowners from fighting back, and preventable disasters that cost thousands in repairs.

As a homeowner, a hard freeze is one of the biggest threats to your property and safety. Here's exactly what I'm doing to protect my home and what you need to do too.

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It will be ~27°F on Tuesday morning at my house.

1. Close foundation vents

I have closed all the vents that lead under my house to help keep warm air trapped and prevent pipes from freezing.

2. Drain and store outdoor water hoses

Detach water hoses from all outside faucets and drain them completely.

Over the years, so many house fires occurred where the frustrated homeowner couldn't put water on a fire because the hoses were full of frozen water.

The fix: Drain them, coil them up, and store them somewhere warm and dry.

3. Insulate outdoor faucets

Outside faucets now have insulated covers over them.

Just in case, have an emergency plumber in your phone contacts list — someone who can handle burst pipes during a freeze.

4. Protect pool plumbing

Any unprotected water pipes that lead to outside swimming pools also need to be drained.

We just put our pool pump on the "winterize" setting and let gravity drain the pipes and sand filter.

5. Keep outdoor dogs safe

During the day, our large dogs stay outside if we're at work.

We've designed several ways to keep them warm:

- Heated dog houses

- Heated dog beds

- Actual cold-weather sleeping bags

- Huge piles of leaves they can burrow into

- Big fluffy beds under a covered porch

At the very least, outside dogs should have:

- A bale or two of wheat straw fluffed up inside and around the entrance of their dog house

- A wind break or tarp barrier on the side facing the wind

- Constant access to unfrozen water (use a heated water bowl if possible)

🐾 Remember: if it's too cold for you to sleep outside, it's too cold for them as well. Humans lived outside for thousands of years, but we didn't enjoy it in cold weather.

6. Insulate and protect your well

We have an outside well that's covered and insulated.

If your well has exposed pipes, wrap them in foam insulation or heat tape (plugged into a GFCI outlet).

7. Stock firewood and heating supplies

We've restocked our covered piles of firewood — and we have extra.

Keep firewood dry, stacked off the ground, and close to the house for easy access in bad weather.

8. Backup heat source

We have a Buddy Heater and plenty of spare propane tanks.

If you use propane, store tanks outdoors in a safe area away from open flames or electrical panels.

9. Cold-weather emergency bedding

We have zero-degree sleeping bags in case of a power outage.

They can be lifesavers when the power goes out in the middle of the night.

Additional Recommendations

10. Protect indoor plumbing

- Let faucets drip slightly overnight (especially on exterior walls)

- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes

- Know how to shut off your water main in case a pipe bursts

11. Vehicle readiness

- Keep gas tanks at least half full (prevents condensation and frozen lines)

- Carry an emergency car kit: blanket, flashlight, gloves, water, and power bank

- Check tire pressure — cold weather lowers PSI

- Frozen car locks: Keep de-icer spray in your pocket, not in the car. Warm your key with a lighter before inserting

12. Power outage prep

- Charge phones, flashlights, and battery banks in advance

- Have at least one battery-powered light source in each room

- If using a generator, make sure it's outdoors — never run it in a garage or enclosed space

13. Space heater safety

- Must be 3 feet from anything flammable

- Never run while sleeping or when you leave home

- Plug directly into the wall, never use extension cords

- Space heaters are the leading cause of winter house fires

 14. Ice on walkways

- Put down rock salt or sand before the freeze, not after ice forms

- Rock salt damages concrete - use calcium chloride or sand for better results

- Liability reminder: If someone slips on your property, you could be sued

5. Check on others

Cold weather is hardest on the elderly, neighbors living alone, and outdoor animals.

Take 10 minutes to check in — it can literally save lives.

16. Document your property

- Take photos of your property before the freeze

- Document your winterization efforts

- Some insurance policies require proof of "reasonable precautions"

- Keep receipts for winterization supplies

17. Cold-weather meal prep

Once you're prepared for the cold, make your favorite cold-weather stew or chili.

Warm food helps maintain body temperature and morale.

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Stay safe, stay warm, and stay prepared.

- Anya, Grunt Goat Tactical