Households warned over simple mistake that could end up costing them £1,000s this winter

Households have been warned over a simple mistake that could cost £1,000s over the festive period.

It really is getting cold. Last night (2 December), temperatures dropped to -12C in Scotland with 15cm of snowfall landing in some parts of the UK.

The weather got so bad some drivers in Cumbria told the BBC they were stuck in a traffic jam for 19 hours with no food or water, while over 2,500 people have been left without electricity in the area.

And the Met Office predicts it's not expected to warm up anytime soon.

The forecaster has issued a yellow weather warning for ice in the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the north of England, and much of north and central Wales from 5pm on Sunday to 12pm on Monday - with more snow forecast.

Now, with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, millions of Brits are attempting to cut bills by not keeping the heating on for too long.

However, this could actually end up costing you more if you aren't careful.

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With the cold weather coming thick and fast, there is an increased risk of your water pipes freezing and bursting over the winter.

Six percent of Brits have already experienced damage to their property due to the issue, according to Aviva.

"Frozen and burst pipes are a serious problem and even one burst pipe can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage," Hazel Johnson, director of home and motor claims at Aviva, said.

"Preparing your pipes ahead of cold snaps is vital to protecting your property."

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To stop your pipes from bursting, there are four things you can do:

1) Turn your heating on

By turning your heating on for just a couple of hours a day, to around 13C, you will most likely avoid the issue.

2) Insulation

From just 99p, you can get one metre long rolls of insulation from your local DIY store, which you can put in the loft or garage.

3) Repair leaks

If your tap is already leaking, you're more likely to be facing a costly replacement bill. If your taps continue to drip, after turning them off and if, get them fixed.

This could cost around £130, but it's better than paying thousands.

4) Turn water off

When you're going on holiday, simply turn your water off while you're away.

If your pipes have already frozen though, make sure you turn off your stop tap (stopcock), as soon as possible.