As winter storms roll through, Winter Storm Preparation becomes essential to protect your home, property, and family. Taking simple precautions can be very helpful during windy, rainy weather.
Thinking ahead eases worry and helps ensure everyone stays safe, secure, and comfortable if conditions take a turn for the worse.
Inspect and Maintain Heating Systems
When researching how to prepare home for winter storm events, the first thing to consider is your home’s heating system. During the coldest months, your heating system must work effectively.
Have a qualified technician perform inspections on a regular basis. Replace or clean furnace filters for maximum airflow efficiency.
They automatically open and close, but you should manually check the scenarios in which they will open and shut by testing the thermostats. These actions work to keep you from experiencing a surprise breakdown in the middle of a storm.
Seal Windows and Doors
A home can lose its warmth in no time with the presence of drafts. The weatherstripping around the windows and doors seals out cold air. Filling a space or a cleft with caulk prevents the loss of heat.
Keep out the biting winds with a thick curtain. All of these features work together to keep your home at a reasonable temperature and can reduce heating and cooling costs.
Protect Pipes from Freezing
Frozen pipes burst, leading to expensive repairs. Wrap exposed plumbing to prevent cold temperatures from reaching frozen pipes. Use foam sleeves that fit around the pipes in a basement, garage, or attic.
Opening cabinet doors beneath the sinks will promote warm air circulation. Allowing faucets to drip a little during extreme freezing is an additional option for preventing freezing or even worse.
Stock Emergency Supplies
Severe winter weather often brings power outages with it. Prepare non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, and batteries. You can supplement heat with blankets and warm clothing if the heating system malfunctions.
A battery-operated radio keeps everyone updated about the weather. By doing this, you gain the peace of mind you need during a challenging time.
Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Blocked gutters can lead to ice dams, which can damage both roofs and walls. As part of Winter Storm Preparation, clear leaves and debris before colder weather arrives, and ensure downspouts direct water away from your foundation.
Straightforward maintenance tasks help avoid the problem of water leaking indoors as snow and ice thaw.
Prune trees and Tie Down Furniture
Branches hanging over a structure can become loaded with heavy wet snow or ice, possibly causing damage to roofs and bringing power lines down. Keep tree branches away from the structure by trimming regularly.
Tuck away outdoor furniture, grills, and decorations. Such measures minimize the hazards of falling branches or flying debris.
Create an Emergency Plan
Special weather notifications become a critical part of communication when inclement weather doesn’t follow expectations. Create a plan for who will be able to reach whom if the power or phone service goes down.
Select a safe point in the home in case staying outside turns dangerous. Always keep emergency contacts on hand.
Testing Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Many people turn to alternative heating sources during winter storms that cause long power outages, making Winter Storm Preparation essential to reduce fire and carbon monoxide risks.
Replace the old batteries with fresh ones in each detector prior to the season. Install detectors in proximity to the areas of sleep and activity. In the case of any alert, these steps save lives by sending out early warnings.
Prepare Your Vehicle and Driveway
Cars need to be prepared for winter in case you need to use them. Inspect the antifreeze, check tire pressure, and wipers. Keep emergency kits, blankets, and ice scrapers in the car.
You should shovel your driveway and sidewalk right away during snowfalls and icy seasons. Using ice melt or sand is a plus for everybody coming in and out of the home.
Review Insurance Coverage
Homeowners’ insurance policies must cover snow, ice, and freezing damage. Going over existing coverage with an agent can help avoid surprises after a storm.
Take pictures or make records of valuable possessions for future claims. Knowing what your coverage supports aids faster recovery if a loss happens.
Winter Storm Preparation: Protecting Homes and Families
Preparation protects homes and families from the harshness of winter storms. Inspections, maintenance, and planning increase safety and comfort.
When everyone approaches emergencies calmly, confidently, and prepared, they all win. Whatever winter has in store, a well-prepared home can weather the storm.
