Ward away winter woes

Taking the time to "winterize" your home can save you headaches and financial woes during the holiday break.

Freezing pipes is one of the most common problems tenants face when leaving home for extended periods of time. To prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting, thermostats should be set at sixty-two degrees or higher. Apartment management companies and local landlords suggest keeping a slow drip of water through bathroom and kitchen sinks and leaving the cabinet doors open for heat to reach the pipes.

Local landlord David Wiley has witnessed what can happen when winter precautions aren't taken.

"It was an exterior wall behind a toilet, luckily on a basement level," Wiley said. "It produced a gash in the elbow joint probably about a half inch long, but literally water was everywhere. It was something that could have been prevented, but it was a poor design of the plumbing system."

Break-ins are also a common problem during the holiday break, as many students leave town to spend time with their families. While most students know to lock their doors, it's also important to lock their windows as well. It's a good idea to have the post office hold mail and ask a neighbor or friend to check in from time to time to make sure their home hasn't been violated.