Clarence Birdseye, who pioneered frozen foods in the '20s, was born on this day in 1886. Working outdoors in Alaska, he noticed that food froze quickly before ice crystals could form. This damaged food, ruining the taste when it thawed. Whereas he discovered that fast freezing is good for food, we homeowners discovered freezing wreaks havoc on our homes' water pipes. When winter temperatures suddenly dip, water pipes can freeze and split. Here are five easy steps you can take that'll help to keep your water pipes safe. Insulate vulnerable pipes in crawl spaces and attics; during extreme cold, let faucets trickle overnight; keep doors under sinks open to allow warm air in; keep your thermostat set above 55 F; and disconnect outside hoses and lawn sprinklers. Already got a frozen pipe? Don't thaw it with a torch or open flame. Rather, use heat from a hairdryer, but be aware of wet floors and the potential danger of electric shock. And that's the On The House tip for today.