The Charleston Fire Department said when it comes to maintaining a home in extreme cold the best thing to do is keep it warm.

It is recommended that people not turn down the temperatures in the house or apartment and keep the thermostat high.

The CFD also said to keep faucets running by letting a small trickle of water drip out and keep the cabinets under the sinks open to allow warm air to circulate and prevent the pipes from freezing.

Other things to keep in mind:

-Keep blinds or curtains closed to reduce drafts and put a blanket or towel at the base of doors.

-Space heaters should only be used when people are present in the home and should be kept away from flammable objects.

The News staff can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].