PicksFrost King outdoor faucet cover
Best for: Outdoor spigots
A foam cover that fits over an outdoor tap and holds in some warmth. It is quick to fit and works best alongside a drained, disconnected hose.
Check price on AmazonBuying guide · Updated 2026-10-26
Winter Home Prep Checklist: Pipes, Drafts and Heaters
A few cheap jobs before the first hard freeze can save you from burst pipes, cold rooms and high heating bills. This checklist covers pipes, drafts and heat, plus the alarms that keep you safe. For storms and power cuts, see our backup power and leak alarm guides.
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How to choose
1
Start with pipes and outdoor taps
Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets. Insulate exposed pipes in the garage, crawl space and along outside walls. Pipes that run through cold spaces freeze first.
2
Find the drafts, then seal them
Hold a lit incense stick or a thin tissue near window and door edges on a windy day. Moving smoke or a fluttering tissue marks a leak. Use weatherstripping on moving parts, caulk on gaps that stay still, and window film on old glass.
3
Treat heaters and alarms as safety gear
Plug a space heater straight into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip. Keep it clear of curtains and bedding, and switch it off when you leave. Test smoke and CO alarms monthly and replace them at the date printed on the back.
At a glance
| Product | Best for | Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frost King outdoor faucet cover | Outdoor spigots | Pipes and outdoor taps | Check price |
| Frost King tubular foam pipe insulation | Exposed pipes in a garage or crawl space | Pipes and outdoor taps | Check price |
| Easy Heat Freeze Free pipe heating cable | Pipes in very cold spots | Pipes and outdoor taps | Check price |
| Frost King double draft stop | A gap under a door | Drafts, windows and gaps | Check price |
| 3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit | Older single-pane windows | Drafts, windows and gaps | Check price |
| GE Advanced Silicone 2 window and door sealant | Gaps around window and door frames | Drafts, windows and gaps | Check price |
| Vornado VH200 space heater | A small to medium room | Heat and safety alarms | Check price |
| Lasko 751320 ceramic space heater | A desk or small room | Heat and safety alarms | Check price |
| Kidde 10-year combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm | Homes with heaters, fireplaces or gas appliances | Heat and safety alarms | Check price |
Pipes and outdoor taps Stop the freeze
Frost King tubular foam pipe insulation
Best for: Exposed pipes in a garage or crawl space
A foam sleeve that slips over a pipe and seals along the seam. Check the pipe diameter and match the sleeve size.
Check price on AmazonEasy Heat Freeze Free pipe heating cable
Best for: Pipes in very cold spots
A thermostat-controlled heating cable that wraps a pipe to keep it above freezing. Follow the instructions closely and use only the pipe types listed. Ask an electrician if you are unsure.
Check price on AmazonDrafts, windows and gaps Keep the warm air in
Frost King double draft stop
Best for: A gap under a door
A fabric draft stop that slides under the door and needs no tools. Measure your door width first.
Check price on Amazon3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit
Best for: Older single-pane windows
Clear film that sticks around the frame and shrinks tight with a hair dryer. It adds an air layer over the glass. Check how many windows each kit covers.
Check price on AmazonGE Advanced Silicone 2 window and door sealant
Best for: Gaps around window and door frames
A flexible, water-resistant sealant for outside frame gaps. Remove old caulk first, and apply it in dry weather above the minimum temperature on the tube.
Check price on AmazonHeat and safety alarms Use with care
Vornado VH200 space heater
Best for: A small to medium room
A compact ceramic heater that roundups often list with tip-over and overheat protection. Confirm the safety features on the manufacturer page.
Check price on AmazonLasko 751320 ceramic space heater
Best for: A desk or small room
A ceramic heater with a thermostat that roundups mention for its overheat protection and cool-touch housing. Use it on a hard, level floor and never leave it running unattended.
Check price on AmazonKidde 10-year combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm
Best for: Homes with heaters, fireplaces or gas appliances
A sealed 10-year battery alarm that covers both smoke and CO and chirps when it is time to replace it. Put one on each level and near bedrooms.
Check price on AmazonHow we picked
We compared current products from manufacturer pages and independent roundups, then grouped them by job. We have not tested them ourselves. Check size, fit and the current price before you buy.
FAQ
When should I protect my pipes?
Do it before the first hard freeze, ideally when nights start to fall near freezing. Insulate exposed pipes, cover outdoor taps and open cabinet doors on very cold nights so warm air reaches pipes on outside walls.
Is it safe to leave a space heater on overnight?
Most safety agencies advise against it. Turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Choose one with tip-over and overheat protection, keep it away from anything that burns, and plug it directly into a wall outlet.
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