Yes, it IS coming. What can you do to get ready before it arrives?
This morning it was cold outside when we left our home at 8 am for an appointment. I bundled up in layers of clothing and went out even though I do not like the cold. The cold this morning was a sign that winter is unfortunately coming again soon.
Winter poses risks both inside and outside of the home. How can you prepare for these risks?
Outside Your Home…
Falls are the leading cause of injury in the winter, especially among older adults.
Did you know that shoveling snow is dangerous for older people? It is hard on the heart and can lead to a heart attack.
So stock up on ice melt, and find someone who will come to your home to shovel your ice and snow from the outside of your home.
Inside Your Home…
There are many things you need to do to prepare the inside of your home for the coming of winter.
Your heating system.
Have a professional check your heating system. In our home, this was done in July, and our heating system passed inspection except for one small issue, which we will fix later this week.
Also, to make your heating system more effective, replace weather stripping around doors and windows and make sure that windows and doors close and latch properly.
Your detectors.
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be maintained to work properly.
- Replace batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Use your vacuum hose to remove cobwebs that might interfere with the sensors.
Have a generator?
If you do not have a generator, think about buying one now before the cold weather hits. If you do this, you will have time to make certain it is properly connected and learn how to use it safely. Here are more generator tips to help you prepare for the coming of winter.
- Have a licensed electrician install a manual transfer switch for portable generators, or an automatic transfer switch for stationary generators. This switch safely connects your generator to your circuit panel with only one cable.
- Make sure your generator is 20 feet from your home and the exhaust points away from your home.
Use a space heater?
Space heaters are a great way to keep warm in the winter, but they cause thousands of house fires each year.
Here are some things you can do to make sure your space heater is safe with winter coming.
- Choose a space heater that has an automatic shut off if it tips over. Also, try to find one with a fan also because the fan helps the heater to disperse heat more effectively.
- Check the heater’s cord for damage regularly.
- Never use an extension cord to plug you space heater into the outlet!
Keep indoor air pollution at bay!
Research has linked exposure to air pollution to heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and even bone density loss. Did you know that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? This is true especially in the winter when we tend to keep doors and windows closed to prevent cold air from coming in.
How can you keep air pollution at bay?
- Refrain from burning candles and using your fire place as much as possible.
- Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home.
- Store any harsh cleaning chemicals as well as other chemicals away from living areas.
- Replace the air filter in your home with a HEPA filter that can remove smaller particles.
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It is always better to be safe than sorry, so please plan ahead even if the weather is still warm where you live.
Yes, winter is coming soon and we all need to prepare.
Let the encouraging words in these bobbiejrae posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
Another winter problem…
It never hurts to plan ahead..
Make good things come your way, too!
Think of every problem like a hurricane…