Householders and those living in the winter months can be particularly vulnerable to accidents, as they may have difficulty moving around due to icy conditions or feel too warm with all that portable heater smoke filling up their homes. Follow these safety tips for reducing risks this season.
Outdoor Safety Pointers for Winter
If there is snow on the ground, keep your sidewalks and driveways clear at all times. This means after each snowfall, of course, but also before it starts to fall. Preventing snow build-up in these areas will dramatically reduce the number of times you need to shovel off the sidewalk or driveway.
Keep the area around your porch, garage door, front steps, and walkway clear of ice by applying sand or salt to these areas. If you are in a place where salt isn’t available, consider using kitty litter instead, which will work just as well. Kitty litter can also be used outside for traction on slippery surfaces.
Get professional snow removal services to handle commercial and residential properties. When situations can no longer be solved by small shovels, call in the experts. They have the right equipment to efficiently clear up your driveway or apartment complex parking lot.
Indoor Safety Pointers for Winter
If you are not planning on using your fireplace, be sure to shut the door and close off any air vents so that no cold air is pulled in from outside. This will save you money because it will prevent heat from escaping through those spaces and help keep a consistent temperature in the room. Also, be sure to place a towel against air registers so that cold air cannot force its way through.
Always keep an eye on your oil tanks. If it’s too cold to go outside and check the oil level, hire someone you trust to do it for you or wait until warmer weather returns to check. However, if you have a significant oil leak, it is essential to call your emergency heating service right away so that they can fix the problem before it damages anything or starts a fire.
Do not let water accumulate on any wooden surfaces. Water can freeze and expand, which could cause wood to crack and splinter.
Use a towel to absorb water from your bathroom floors and carpets after each shower or bath. The potential for mold growth is much higher when the humidity levels remain above 50% for an extended period.
Winter Protection Pointers for Pets and Appliances
Keep your appliances clean and free of dust. Not only will it help them run more efficiently, but it can also prevent fires from starting if something were to catch fire nearby.
Ensure that your furnace is serviced annually by a professional company specializing in repairs. Not only is this important for your safety, but it’s also essential to keep in mind from a financial standpoint because when something goes wrong with it, and you call out an emergency service company, they will charge far more money to make the trip.
It may be challenging to clean snow off your car during the winter months, so be sure that you are prepared. Keep a broom or something similar in the trunk of your vehicle. That way, if it does end up snowing, you’re covered.
If you have summer plants still hanging around inside during wintertime, be sure to keep them away from all open flames as they can easily catch fire within minutes if they are too close to the fireplace or candles.
Keep all-electric water heaters at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire. This includes walls, curtains, chairs, couches, bedding, etc. Also, be sure not to use extension cords for this appliance as they are often overloaded and can cause fires.
Always be sure to unplug all your devices that are not currently in use. This includes the television, curling irons, coffee makers, and more. This is important because if water accumulates on any electrical device and is left plugged in and turned on, it can create a short circuit that could start a fire or cause an electric shock.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, be sure to get it serviced once a year by a professional company. Not only is this safe for everyone in the household, but it’s also necessary from a financial standpoint because if something goes wrong during that period and you call an emergency service company, they will charge far more money for the repair.
Keep your furnace well maintained by having it serviced once a year by someone specializing in repairs. This is important because if something goes wrong with it and you call out an emergency service company, they will charge far more money to make the trip, costing you hundreds of dollars.
With these safety tips in mind, you should be able to spend this winter season worry-free. Accidents happen every day; however, with some foresight and preparation, you can significantly reduce the chance of occurring.
