Weathering Winter Woes

Well, so far it has been a winter for the record books … and winter isn’t even over yet! New England has gotten hit by record-setting snow and cold, and homeowners are starting to feel the pressures of constant snow removal and escalating heating costs.

Even during a milder winter, it’s important to take some extra steps to ensure the safety and integrity of a home. Here are a few tips that can help you weather a particularly severe winter:

Combat carbon monoxide.

In any season, it’s important to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are functional. Change batteries and test all detectors several times each year. The increased use of heaters and gas fireplaces can lead to an escalation in CO2 emissions during the winter.

If you lose power, remember that heating your home with a gas range or oven can be dangerous. Gas grills and generators should always be kept outdoors in order to avoid emissions inside your home.

Symptoms of CO2 poisoning include disorientation, nausea, and headaches, so be on the alert for these symptoms in any family members.

Avoid frozen pipes.

Frigid temperatures can cause pipes in your home to freeze. Your best defense against this is adequate insulation surrounding your pipes. If your water heater is located in an unheated area of your home, it, too, may benefit from insulation. Wrapping vulnerable pipes with electric heat tape can help prevent freezing.

Leaving faucets to drip just a bit (particularly those farthest from your main water pipe) can also keep pipes from freezing. If pipes do leak, you should know the location of the main water valve for your home so that you can shut off the water and prevent water damage and flooding. Wrap frozen pipes with a towel or cloth and pour hot water over them to thaw them.

Prevent water damage.

Ice dams that form in your gutters can prevent melting snow and ice from draining away from your house, allowing water to seep into your home instead. Keeping roofs and gutters clear of ice and snow can reduce your chances of interior leaks. Attics and windows should be properly sealed to provide a barrier to melting snow.

Eliminate risk of fire.

Space heaters should be located an ample distance from any flammable materials such as rugs, curtains, and upholstery. They should never be left unattended and should always be turned off before you leave home.

As with your CO2 detectors, you should make certain that your smoke detectors are functional with plenty of batteries on hand. Take care when using candles and do not leave candles burning unsupervised.

Be prepared.

Winter storms can lead to power outages that can last for days. Make sure you are prepared to shelter in your home even without heat and electricity. Prepare an emergency kit with plenty of blankets, flashlights, batteries, water, and non-perishable food that doesn’t need to be heated before eating. Keep shovels and snow removal equipment accessible and in working condition. Don’t forget to keep a supply of ice melt on hand to provide traction on slippery walkways.

If you can’t stay in your home, or if your supplies run low, you should know that location of your nearest public shelter so that you can ride out the storm or ensuing power loss.

Although we’ve seen a harsh winter so far, every season brings its own set of challenges. A little preparation ahead of time can go a long way in the case of any type of extreme weather.

Would you like to find out more? Visit www.hansbrings.com for more information.