EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — When water freezes, it expands, which can put a lot of pressure on your pipes and even cause them to burst. MORE: Do you know how to stay safe in cold weather? There are things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing, which may result in costly repairs. The following tips are from the American Red Cross: Close the valves When the temperatures start to drop, bring your outdoor hoses and drains inside. Close the valves inside that supply outdoor faucets. Your outdoor faucets should be turned on so that the water will drain and any remaining water that freezes has space to expand without breaking the pipe. Let your faucet drip When it's particularly cold, allow your faucet to drip if the water comes from exposed pipes. Letting a trickle of water run through the pipes will help prevent them from freezing. WEATHER ALERT: Bitterly Cold Next Few Days Add insulation The Red Cross advises adding insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces to maintain a higher temperature in those areas. Open cabinet doors Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warmer air reach the pipes. If there are any harmful chemicals in your cabinets, make sure to move them out of reach of children and pets. Close garage doors If you have water supply lines in your garage, keep the door closed when possible. Keep the heat on Whether you're going to sleep or going on vacation, make sure your heat stays on. The temperature inside should not dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW