Weathering Winter at Home

Safety Talk

What’s at Stake? 

Most of us are familiar with winter safety tips for our vehicle. But have you given much thought to prepping your home and family for the long cold winter?

What’s the Danger? 

Winter cold, snow and ice can lead to frostbite and hypothermia, slips and falls, overexertion injuries such as back injuries and heart attacks, and the possibility of being stuck in your house for several days without electricity, heat and water.

How to Protect Yourself 

Before Winter Weather Hits

• Stock up – have a supply of several days of food and water and dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Have plenty of blankets and warm clothes ready and stock up on candles, flashlights and batteries.
• Install battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors.
• When using generators remember:
  • People can die from carbon monoxide poisoning when using portable generators indoors, including in attached garages, or too close to the house.
  • Generators should be used only outdoors and should be located at least 20 feet or six meters, away from doors, windows, and vents.
• Have snow shovels and other snow removal equipment ready.
  • Waiting until the threat of a storm could leave you searching for a shovel without much chance of finding one.
  • Keep your snow blower fueled up and have rock salt or other products on hand to melt ice on walkways.
  • Don’t forget sand or kitty litter can improve traction if your vehicle is stuck in the driveway.
• Get a weather radio and sign up for alerts and notifications from local emergency services.
• Make a Family Communications Plan.
  • Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Check on elderly or homebound neighbors and relatives; and
• Bring pets inside during winter weather and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Final Word 

Winter weather doesn’t have to mean putting yourself or your family in danger. With a little forethought and planning, you can weather winter successfully!