You went to the grocery store for extra milk. You packed a survival kit for your car. You stocked up on extra batteries for your flashlight.

But maybe you’re not done yet. After many winter storms pass, the cleanup remains.

K-State Research and Extension says homeowners should use de-icing products with caution and be careful not to overuse de-icers, which can contain chemicals that can damage plants and concrete.

If the car freezes over, Linda Cottin, owner of Cottin’s Hardware and Rental, 1832 Mass., said lock de-icer works – and it’s better than the old method of pouring hot water on the car.

“It refreezes as quickly as it melts,” Cottin said of the hot-water method. “So it’s probably not the most efficient way to do it.”

And then there’s the storm that could be brewing inside a house – in the pipes.

Many homeowners don’t discover that their pipes have frozen until the weather warms up a bit and the water sprays, said Kevin Hoppe, president of Action Plumbing.

Hoppe said the best prevention is keeping the heat at a reasonable temperature and eliminating any drafts that could direct cold air at pipes.

A hair dryer could melt an accessible frozen pipe, but bigger problems will require a plumber, Hoppe said.

He said solving the problem quickly is better than procrastinating.

“If you find it quick and you get it thawed out, there’s a good chance you might not break the pipe,” he said.