Hello 2025! I hope you all had a wonderful start to your new year. With the new year, it’s hard to not look back on previous years and think about the winter storms we’ve had. This blog post is going to be filled with tasks you can easily accomplish and will hopefully relieve some stress that comes with winter storms.
1. Check Your Smoke & CO Detectors
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- Houses tend to stay sealed up for long periods of time during a winter storm. So, it’s no surprise that deaths due to accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning rise during prolonged winter storms. Also it’s very important to make sure that your smoke and CO detectors are in proper working order and have fresh batteries—they really are lifesavers. When you plan your alternate fuel source, check your detectors for all-around winter preparedness.
2. Plan for an Alternate Method of Heating
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- What happens if the power goes out and your primary heating source won’t work? Most furnaces and gas fireplaces require electricity so you’ll need an alternate source of heating that doesn’t require electricity like a generator or wood stove. Make sure you have plenty of wood, pellets, kindling, lighters and matches to get you through an emergency.
3. Protect Your Pipes
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- Temperatures can drop very low, very fast during a winter storm and that can be bad for unprotected pipes below or around your home, especially if they are exposed to low temperatures outside a home’s insulation. This can lead to frozen pipes and MASSIVE water damage. If it’s about to get especially cold, you can wrap vulnerable pipes around the house in insulation to protect them. Leaving sink cabinets open to the warm air and turning faucets onto a cold “drip” can also prevent freezing during winter storms. Remember to protect your outdoor faucets from freezing as well!
4. Remove Weak & Overhanging Branches
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- Get rid of any branches that are overhanging your roof or near your house. These branches could break away under the weight of snow and ice or because of severe winds and cause damage to your roof and other property. Any overgrown bushes or shrubs may need some trimming as well.
5. Stock Up on Ice Melt
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- When the winter storm passes, you will want a way to melt the ice that forms on your driveway, patio, sidewalk, etc. There are many different types of ice melters that contain salt, sand and other ingredients. Be particularly careful of using salt and similar compounds because too much can poison the soil and may also damage vulnerable cement, and some are poisonous to pets.
6. Insulate Walls & Attic
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- This is a proven way to reduce heat loss if your power goes out in a storm. If you’re not sure how much insulation you need, check with a professional insulation installer.
7. Fix Drafty Windows and Doors
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- Do you still have that one window that won’t close all the way or a door that always seems drafty, even if shut closed? Well, it’s time to make some repairs. New weather stripping can solve many draft problems if your old weatherstripping has worn away. You may also want to consider replacing badly damaged windows or doors that may not hold up in a bad winter storm. Smaller cracks should be caulked to prevent moisture intrusion and damage.
8. Confirm Your Homeowners Insurance
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- While there are many fun winter activities to look forward to, it’s important to take steps to help ensure your safety in the event of a winter storm. Contact your insurance agent to make sure you have the right coverage to protect your home and vehicle.
9. Stock Your Food Pantry
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Because it’s important to stay indoors and avoid traveling during a winter storm, it’s really important to make sure you are fully stocked up on food. Your pantry should include many non-perishable items so that if you lose power, you won’t have to worry about any of it spoiling. On average, aim to have enough food for at least three days. Some good foods to have on hand on before the storm starts include crackers, granola bars, canned goods, soups, hot cocoa and instant coffee, peanut butter, honey, bread, and grains (such as barley, rice or oats). Also be sure to pick up a variety of fruits that don’t need to be refrigerated, such as oranges, apples or bananas, as well as some fresh veggies. If you have pets, don’t forget to pick up food for them too.
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10. Pack Emergency Kits
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- It’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit on hand and know how to prepare for a winter storm quickly, should a freeze set in. Your emergency kit should have a battery-powered radio, flashlights, candles, matches, bottled water, snacks and pet food. You should also make sure you have plenty of blankets, sleeping bags and winter clothes, in case you lose heat in your home. Consider collecting the items from this checklist for your emergency kit.
Fingers crossed this list will be useless and we won’t have to deal with any major winter storms, but better safe than sorry! Until next month!
