That is a sentence many people probably heard their mothers and fathers say growing up thinking it was just an “old tale”. Unfortunately in February of 2021, many of us learned those words were true. So. Very. True.

Pipes that freeze and then subsequently burst can cause damage far beyond what the average policyholder imagines. Frozen pipes can damage drywall, foundations, floors, toilets, electrical systems, and personal items. Not to mention that repairs can take weeks or months to finish.

In 2021, State Farm® paid more than $472 million in damages to policyholders just from frozen pipes claims. That total is nearly eight times more than the amount paid in 2020.

The winter storm in February 2021 increased frozen pipe claims across the country, moving Texas to the number one spot that Illinois held the past two years.

Most of the time, frozen pipes are preventable through a few simple steps. Two tips, two minutes is all it takes:

1. Leave cabinet doors open.
2. Let the faucets drip.

Keeping cabinet doors open allows for airflow from the room to help keep pipes warm. In addition, opening a faucet to allow a slow drip, keeps warmer water flowing through the pipes. Moving water is more difficult to freeze. Additionally, an open faucet will act as a release, helping prevent the pressure from building up inside the pipe, which leads it to burst.

In 2019, State Farm paid more than $200 million for over 11,000 homeowners* claims related to frozen pipes across the U.S. Illinois ranks as the #1 state for frozen pipe losses. (*Note: excludes renters and condo unit claims)

“Damage resulting from frozen pipes is the most common winter loss claim,” says State Farm Loss Mitigation Administrator Jeff Feid. “The good news is that most of the time it can be prevented through a few simple steps.”

Click on the numbers in the interactive image below for simple maintenance tips to help prevent property damage.

2,700 miles from home. A highway slathered in snow and ice. The temperature far below freezing.

As 81-year-old Bill Briggs braced the steering wheel, he knew this Alaskan drive would be difficult. But he was determined to get his granddaughter Ellen and her trusty pooch Annie home for the holidays.

“My granddaughter finished a medical internship in Alaska this past December,” said Bill. “I didn’t want her traveling alone in these conditions.  I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I’m used to slicker than slick.”

But as the trio began their trek on the Alcan Highway, Bill and his crew found themselves in a terrifying situation.

“I was about 70 miles out, with poor visibility,” Bill explained. “Before I knew it, the road curved – and my back tire caught the shoulder of the highway.”

In a matter of seconds, Bill’s SUV turned into an erratic Tilt-A-Whirl, spinning out of control, eight feet down an embankment and into the path of an unforgiving tree.

The family closed their eyes. Ellen clutched Annie--bracing for the impact.

And then there was silence.

“I saw it happen”

On that Saturday morning State Farm agent Glenn Marlin found himself driving behind a mid-sized SUV. “It was snowing so hard I could not see the license plate," said Glenn. But I remember thinking, ‘I bet this driver isn’t from around here...’”

Minutes later, the State Farm agent watched in horror as the SUV spiraled off the road and out of sight. “I thought they rolled it,” said Glenn. “I immediately pulled over and ran to the scene.”

A Close Call

Peering over the embankment, Glenn saw the vehicle had skidded to a halt. “I ran down and helped the family out of their SUV,” he said. “Thankfully everyone was okay - but the vehicle wasn’t. It had two flat tires, and there was no way to get it out of that hole.”

Glenn dialed roadside assistance, and helped the family with their claim. "The hardest part was explaining where we were,” he said. “We were on the outskirts of town and not many cars pass this way. It took about three hours for the wrecker to arrive."

"I'm so glad Glenn was there," said Ellen. "It was freezing, and Grandpa and I would have been all by ourselves. Not to mention my dog Annie was scared to death.”

As the sun began to set – Glenn waited with the family, inviting them to hunker down in his truck until help arrived. Over hot coffee and conversation, the group talked, reminisced and even shared a few laughs.

“It’s a real nice thing he did,” said Bill. “When you’re facing a frigid situation alone – it means so much when someone stops to lend a hand.”

“Bill was great,” added Glenn. “After 80 plus years, he has terrific stories.  I wish we lived closer.”

Later that afternoon the tow-truck arrived. Glenn and the family exchanged information, wished each other well and parted ways.

“I never expected my Saturday to go like that,” said Glenn. “And you know what? It was 100 percent worth it to help this family.”

A Time to Reflect

In hindsight, Bill says there’s much to be thankful for on that fateful day. He and his family were not hurt, their SUV would get repaired, and he was also reminded of this age-old lesson:

A random act of kindness goes a long way.

“What are the chances it would be Glenn who stopped?” Bill smiled. “He was knowledgeable, accommodating and above all else, this stranger – is now a friend.”

“I’m here to help,” added Glenn. “And I’m happy to do it. Pay it forward for others – and let the cycle of kindness continue.”

Click on the + in the interactive image below for more on the impact of "random acts of kindness."

Top five states for frozen pipe water loss claims:

• Illinois
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas

In the News:

• WGLT (Bloomington, IL): How To Avoid Frozen Pipes When Temperatures Plunge (01/29/19)

Competing in the 100- and 500-meter classical cross-country skiing races during 2018 Special Olympics Maine Winter Games at Sugarloaf Mountain, Scott added to his collection of Special Olympics medals and ribbons.

“I always have a lot of fun at the Special Olympics,” says Scott, 28, of Lisbon Falls, Maine, who finished first in the 100 and second in the 500. “I was so proud of myself finishing first and standing up on top of the medal stand. I was proud to win both of my medals.”

The medals, which he wore for the day before adding them to his stash, are two of the more than 40 that Scott has hanging in his room. They motivate him to keep working toward his next competition.

“I am already looking forward to the Summer Games,” says Scott, who focuses on skiing in the winter but has changed his focus to the challenge of running four laps around the track this summer. “I am doing the mile run. It’s a long race. I am also going to do downhill skiing at the Winter Games in 2020.”

Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. This year, more than 400 athletes representing 58 teams flocked to Sugarloaf to compete, socialize and enjoy time away from their regular routines. Over three days, athletes competed in Nordic and Alpine skiing, snowshoe racing, speed skating and dual ski.

“I have been working with Scott for 10 years,” says Patty Whitmore, Scott’s Life Center team coach. “He will train and compete in anything available – track and field, soccer, basketball, floor hockey, Bocce, bowling – that’s just how Scott is.”

Maine, which hosted the world’s first winter Special Olympics games in Gorham in 1969, leans on volunteers and monetary donations to conduct the winter and summer games. Through Special Olympics, athletes have the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

More than 3,800 athletes are served in Maine.

“The Games show them they can also be an Olympian,” Patty says. “The confidence competing builds in the athletes is tremendous. And with all of the volunteers, we get a whole sense of community. The volunteer influence is huge. With all of the Special Olympics events, they couldn’t run them without volunteers.”

State Farm^® has sponsored the Special Olympics Maine Winter Games through Good Neighbor Grants for the past seven years. Associates have been volunteering since 1982. Agent Robin Thurston’s family donates their lodge to host a pot-luck dinner the Sunday night before the Games. Several other agents and employees, and their family members, participate in the parade and volunteer for events throughout the Games timing athletes, running events, preparing meals, coaching and offering encouragement.

“Volunteers are there from the time we are setting up, right through to when it’s time to break down,” Special Olympics Maine President and CEO Phil Geelhoed says. “We run 18 regional or state level events from our office every year, and we are raising every nickel of the $1.3 million to run our program every year."

“It is so important for Special Olympics to have the support of an organization like State Farm, not just financially, but with volunteers who know their jobs so well, and a natural feeder system that continues to bring us volunteers,” Phil says. “We never have to worry about the cross country event because they run it so smoothly for us.”

The Olympians appreciate it, too.

“It is a positive experience for everybody – the athletes, the organizers and the volunteers,” Patty says. “Nobody volunteers once. Everybody comes back.”

To find volunteer opportunities or to support Special Olympics Maine, visit its website. To find volunteer opportunities in your community, visit NeighborhoodofGood.com^®