Now that the cold weather has arrived, it’s important to take some precautions to make sure your home is safe. Here are some tips for winter safety to practice each year.
Winter Safety Tips for Around the Home
1. Keep Your Heat at a Safe Temperature
You don’t want to spend all of your money on heating costs, but you also don’t want to freeze. Setting the thermostat just a bit lower than usual will save on heating costs. At 68 degrees during the day and 10 degrees lower at night, you will save about 10% on your bills each month.
2. Insulate Exposed Pipes
It doesn’t matter how much insulation is in your home; you may have a few pipes on an exterior wall or in the basement that are in danger of freezing. Cover exposed pipes with insulation or use heat tape to help protect them from the cold.
3. Winter Safety Tip: Keep the Chimney Clean
A dirty chimney is dangerous when debris and creosote build up inside of it. This can lead to a house fire. Have a professional clean your chimney to remove creosote before building a fire in your fireplace.
4. Be Prepared for an Emergency
Sometimes during the winter months, strong storms cause a power outage. Be prepared by creating an emergency kit with basic supplies. Non-perishable food and plenty of water for your family members and pets are important things to include. The kit should also contain flashlights, a battery-powered radio, necessary medications, warm blankets, and body warmers like “HotHands.”
5. Have the Heating System Serviced
Whether you use gas, oil, or electricity to heat your home, have your heating system serviced annually. A professional will check for any problems and make sure that everything is running safely and efficiently.
6. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Winter Safety
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly with exposure. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors and change the batteries at least once a year.
7. Insulate the Water Heater
Wrap your water heater with an insulating blanket to help the unit retain heat in the winter months and reduce your energy bills.
Use these winter safety tips to keep you and your family warm and safe during the colder months of the year.
AWP Home Inspections offers home inspection services to West-Central and Central Indiana. If you’re buying a home, contact us to request an appointment.