RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With extended periods of freezing temperatures expected across the Commonwealth, plumbing systems are at high risk -- and Virginia officials are now sharing tips on how to safely thaw out frozen pipes. In a social post shared by the Virginia Department of Emergency Managemen t (VDEM) on Tuesday, Jan. 27, officials shared steps homeowners can take to thaw out their frozen pipes safely and responsibly amid freezing temperatures. Frozen pipes can cause major damage — here’s how to prevent them Step 1: Find the frozen part -- Easier said than done, but start where it makes sense. Which taps aren’t working? That tells you where in the house the freeze is happening. Then feel along the visible pipes -- under sinks, in basements, garages. Frozen sections usually feel, well, frozen. Ice cold. Or you’ll see frost. That’s your spot. Step 2: Open the faucet -- Turn the handle. Not to full blast, just enough to let water through once it starts melting. It relieves pressure. If the pipe’s about to thaw, the last thing you want is pressure building behind the ice plug with nowhere to go. That’s when it bursts. Step 3: Apply heat (safely) -- Use a hairdryer. A space heater if the area’s big. A heating pad, if you’re fancy. Start near the faucet and work backward — you want the melt to move toward the open end so the water has somewhere to flow. Step 4: Old-school towel trick -- Hot water + towel = makeshift heating wrap. Soak a towel in hot water, wring it out just enough to not make a mess, and wrap it around the pipe. Replace it when it cools off. Slower than a hairdryer, but quieter. And weirdly satisfying, if you’re into DIY therapy. Step 5: Wait -- Don’t jab at the pipe with anything. Don’t try to rush it by turning up the hairdryer to volcano setting. Just keep checking the faucet. Eventually, the drip will come back. That’s your sign that things are working again. VDEM officials urge Virginians not to use anything with open flames. This includes blowtorches, lighters and propane heaters. "People have burned down entire homes trying to unfreeze a pipe with a flame," said VDEM officials in a social post. "Don’t be that headline." However, emergency officials also encourage residents to call a plumber if the pipe does not thaw or if "nothing happens" to the pipes. "At a certain point, especially if the freeze is in a wall or under the floor, it’s not worth the risk of doing more damage," officials said. "Plumbers have thermal cameras, pipe heaters, the whole setup. They’ll fix it fast and probably tell you [15] things you should’ve done differently." AAA has previously warned that frozen pipes can also burst, leading to significant water damage once temperatures rise. ...read more read less