Winter Preparedness: Stay Safe and Warm at Home

Winter’s cold weather can pose challenges to your home's safety and warmth.

The need for winter weather precautions.

It’s crucial to take the right precautions during the winter season to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property as winter’s cold weather arrives. This article offers basic winter weather preparedness to help you navigate the cold months with confidence.

Heat your home safely:

One of the top priorities during winter is ensuring that your home stays warm without compromising safety. If you plan to use alternative heating sources like wood stoves, fireplaces, or space heaters, follow these essential safety tips:

1. Regularly service your home’s primary heating system with a qualified technician.
2. Never rely solely on your stove or other appliances for heat as a backup plan; have additional heat sources available.
3. If you have a fireplace, ensure it is up to code with dry firewood or a gas log. Avoid burning paper in a fireplace.
4. Use portable space or kerosene heaters cautiously and follow local regulations and manufacturer’s instructions.
   • Use combustion heaters only if they are properly vented and do not leak gas.
   • Use the designated fuel type for your heater, and never substitute.
   • Ensure proper ventilation when using kerosene or other combustion heaters.
5. Choose electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches, keeping them away from flammable materials.
   • Ensure the heater's cord is not a tripping hazard, and avoid running it under carpets or rugs.
   • Refrain from using extension cords with space heaters.
   • Discontinue use if your space heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks.
6. Maintain a safe distance of at least 3 feet between heat sources and flammable materials, such as curtains or blankets.
7. Never cover your space heater or place it on furniture or near water.
8. Keep an eye on children around space heaters. Never leave them in a room alone with a space heater.
9. Never leave an operating space heater unattended for extended periods.

Light Your Home Safely:

In case of a power failure, rely on safe lighting sources to avoid fire hazards:

• Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of candles whenever possible.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Refer to power outage safety guidelines for more information.

Use Generators and Appliances Safely:

Generators and other appliances can be vital during power outages, but they must be used safely:

1. Place generators outside at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents in a well-vented area protected from rain and snow.
2. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar fume-emitting devices in closed areas indoors, in basements, or in garages, as the fumes can be deadly.
3. Install and routinely check battery-operated carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to protect against CO poisoning.
4. Connect appliances to generators using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords.
5. Avoid using wet generators or appliances.
6. Store gasoline outdoors to prevent flammable fumes from accumulating indoors. Maintain flammable stored fuel away from operating devices.

Conserve Heat:

Efficiently conserving heat can make a significant difference in your home's warmth:

1. Minimize opening doors and windows to the outside unnecessarily.
2. Close off rooms that are neither in use nor necessary to heat.
3. Seal cracks under exterior doors with towels or rags.
4. Cover windows with blankets or curtains at night to retain heat. Use caution near heating appliances.
5. Some gas-fueled heaters, like vent-less gas fireplaces, may require ventilation. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keeping Babies and Older Adults Safe:

Infants and older adults are particularly vulnerable to extreme cold. Ensure their safety and warmth:
Babies:

1. Never allow infants under one year old to sleep in a cold room.
2. Remove soft bedding and pillows to reduce the risk of smothering and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
3. Dress babies in warm clothing like footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets, or sleep sacks.
4. Maintain a warm indoor temperature and make alternative arrangements if necessary.
5. If you need to sleep with your baby for warmth, take precautions to prevent accidental smothering or physical harm. Parents or objects (like pillows or blankets larger than the infant) can unknowingly roll onto the baby at night.

Older Adults:

• Older adults produce less body heat due to slower metabolism and reduced physical activity.
• Check on elderly friends and neighbors during extreme cold spells to ensure their homes are adequately heated and safe.
• If you are over 65, regularly monitor your home's temperature during severe cold.

Keep a Water Supply:

Freezing temperatures can cause water pipes to burst, leading to costly damage. You can help prevent such damage by:

1. Leaving water taps slightly open to allow a continuous drip.
2. Maintaining a warm indoor temperature.
3. Ensuring heated air reaches pipes by opening cabinet doors under sinks.
4. Thawing frozen pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer.
5. Using bottled water or obtaining water from a neighbor's home if pipes freeze or break.
6. As a last resort, melt clean snow for water by bringing it to a rolling boil for one minute (although this won't remove certain chemicals).

Eat Well-Balanced Meals:

Warm, nutrient-dense beverages (including broth) and meals can help you stay healthy and warm. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as they can cause heat loss. If you have dietary restrictions, consult your doctor.

Maintain an extra supply of ready-to-eat canned foods, such as soups, pastas, vegetables, and fruits, and a manual can opener. Be sure your supply is age and diet-appropriate food for every person in your household. Canned foods can be life-savers in the event of an extended power outage.

Protecting home and family during the winter months.

Winter weather preparation is essential for safeguarding your home, loved ones, and yourself from the challenges posed by the season.

By following these tips and taking appropriate precautions, you can help ensure a safe and warm environment throughout the winter months. Stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy the beauty of winter in the comfort of your home.