LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Freezing temperatures are here to stay for the next several days across Louisville and southern Indiana following a winter storm that dropped nearly 1 foot of snow and a layer of ice as well.

The city surpassed 9 inches of snow on Sunday, making it the third-snowiest calendar day ever recorded in the month of January. It is the snowiest calendar day since Feb. 4, 1998, according to WDRB meteorologist Marc Weinberg.

With even colder air in the forecast, area experts are offering tips on protecting your home and pets as the temperatures drop: 

Dripping Faucets

Louisville Water Company spokesperson Kelley Dearing Smith said keeping water running through faucets can prevent pipes from freezing and ultimately bursting.

"You can let a small drip — a trickle, a small stream of water — run from a cold water faucet," Dearing Smith said Tuesday. 

She said this works best overnight, because, during the day, people are usually awake and home using the water on a regular basis. 

As far as how much water to drip or trickle, she said a lot of that is knowing your home and your personal preference. She said it's not necessary to run very much — not even as wide as a pencil. 

Dearing Smith said she prefers turning the faucets on a small stream "because the drip, I would not be able to go to sleep if I was listening to that."

She said it's not as expensive as one would think to let the sink drip overnight. 

Other suggestions from Louisville Water include knowing where your main water shut-off valve is at home, opening cabinet doors under the sink to let warm air reach the pipes and keeping the garage door closed. 

As temperatures drop, the Louisville Water Company is reminding people how to protect pipes in their home.

Keeping The Home Warm

Jamason Welker from Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric said it's a busy time for the company with calls about furnaces and heating. 

He said don't let the household temperature drop below 55 degrees. He suggests keeping the heat around 65 but knows that can be chilly for many. So he said to find the "happy point" where you're comfortable and the furnace is working to the best of its ability. 

Welker suggests taping plastic or placing towels around doors or windows where cold air is getting into the house. He also said to insulate pipes and change air filters at home.

Welker said some tips are very simple, like keeping the doors open throughout the house. 

"Some people like to close the doors, but we can get a more even temperature in the house if we leave those doors open," he said. "That allows air to flow from one room to the other."

For detailed tips from Bryant, click here.

Bryant Heating & Cooling shared tips to keep the warm air flowing and ease the workload for your furnace.

Protecting Pets

These freezing temperatures are also a reminder to bring pets indoors. 

"We always say, 'If it's too cold for you, it's likely too cold for your pets to be outside as well,'" said Andrea Mattingly with Kentucky Humane Society. 

She said, despite their fur coats, pets can get dangerously cold, and their paw pads and noses can be at risk for hypothermia or frostbite if they're outside too long. 

Mattingly suggests taking dogs for shorter walks and making sure to not leave them outside for extended periods of time for bathroom breaks.

"If you're not in the capacity to bring an animal inside, see if you have a friend or family member who can," Mattingly said. "Do provide extra blankets. Provide them with a place that is going to be sheltered from all those harsh winds. But if at all possible, please bring them inside and don't leave them to endure the weather temperatures on their own."

Mattingly said neighborhood cats often find their own shelter during freezing temperatures, but, unfortunately, sometimes that includes hiding from the elements under the hood of a car. She suggests banging on the hood to make sure it's clear before starting up the car's engine. 

She also said some of the salt on the sidewalks can be toxic if dogs eat it. She said if you take your dog for a walk, be sure to check their paws and wipe off any salt to prevent them from trying to lick it off. 

Potential Power Outages

LG&E-KU spokesperson Drew Gardner said more than 60,000 customers were impacted because of this winter storm, but more than 95% have already had their power restored. 

With more snow expected in the forecast, Gardner said that's a better situation than the ice that just hit Kentuckiana. 

"The conditions that crews are working in have been very difficult," he said. "You have that layer of ice on the ground and equipment, so it's made for some tough working conditions." 

Gardner said LG&E has worked to harden the grid and create a system that can withstand the elements. But for each customer, there's not much an individual can do to prevent a power outage. 

"I think right now, it's important to have a plan in place before temperatures get really, really cold," he said. "So have that emergency kit ready with ways to stay warm and also have a plan for it you do lose power in these cold temperatures and it may be an extended outage, where can you go?"

The best way to report an outage to LG&E is to use the online site or mobile app, Gardner said.

More than 60,000 people have lost power since the storm began.

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