Protecting your home from the Big Freeze

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Bitter cold and bone-chilling winds across the Northern Plains and the eastern United States have left many homeowners wondering how they can protect their homes - and their families - from the big freeze.

In today's top tips we'll give you the tools you need to keep your home nice and toasty.

Heavy snow and ice can do a lot of damage to your roof - as it builds up and as it melts. Ice dams are an area of concern. Ice dams are when ice on your eaves blocks water from draining and the water is forced under the roof and into your attic or down the sides of your walls.

To prevent them, keep your attic well-ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where it's much cooler. You should also make sure the attic floor is well-insulated so that heat rising into the attic is minimized.

Frozen pipes are one of your home's major vulnerabilities.

First, you should know where your main water shut-off valve is located so you can turn it off in case a pipe freezes or bursts. It's usually located along a basement wall next to the water meter. To keep your pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation.

In a bind, you can also use newspaper or fabric temporarily. You'll want to open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. By keeping water moving through the pipes, you'll prevent freezing. You can also improve the circulation of heated air near pipes by opening the kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink.

Sealing your drafts can save you 20 percent on your heating bills, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. You can use incense or a candle to test for drafts around your windows or doors. A drifting line of smoke, rather than a straight one, could indicate a problem.

If the putty in your windows is dry and cracked, add newer sealant. Seal any visible cracks with the weather stripping or cloth. You can get weather stripping kits at a low price at any home improvement or hardware store. But remember, you don't want to completely button up your home. When you have all your heating equipment running, you may need to get some fresh air into that house once in a while.

Portable space heaters aren't the best or most efficient way to heat a home. That's because these heaters can overburden your electric circuits and cause a fire hazard - especially if you live in an older home. Plus, you'll run the risk of fire or severe burns if you're not monitoring the heater.

But if you use one, make sure it has the mark of an independent testing laboratory (UL, CSA or ETL). Your portable space heater should also have an automatic shut-off feature that will turn off the heater automatically if it is tipped over. You'll want to keep it at least three feet away from anything that can burn. This includes furniture, clothing, bedding and people.

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