These cold winter tips will help you stay safe and warm in these upcoming months:
Access to weather alerts:
There are many ways you can keep one step ahead of extreme temperatures and winter storms. Purchase a weather alert radio or weather apps for their smart phone. Sites like WeatherBug and The Weather Channel can send timely weather alerts. The NOAA is another go-to source for all kinds of weather information. Keep a close eye on the forecast is one of the best ways to practice winter safety.
Weather provisions:
Make sure you have the basics needed to ride out a winter storm. You might need salt or ice melter, sand, shovels, fuel for heaters, a generator and, of course, basic foodstuffs to ride out a snowbound period. To avoid long lines and sold-out shelves, it is encouraged that you purchase necessities before bad weather begins!
Keep pipes from freezing:
Serious damage and inconvenience can result from frozen pipes. We ask that you help to protect pipes with good cold-weather habits. We recommend that you keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to expose plumbing to warm air. We also encourage residents to keep the heat on — even when you’re not home — no lower than 15 degrees.
Staying warm:
Even with sound insulation around exterior doors and windows, a home can feel drafty. You can stay warm in winter and reduce the heating bill with a few extra steps.
Using rubber-backed, insulated curtains help keep the cold from radiating through the glass and frames of windows. “Door snakes” or any flexible, under-the-door buffers, keep cold air from entering the rest of the house when exterior doors open and close.
We also ask that you keep the windows and doors closed whether you are home or not to keep the warmth inside!
Even simple steps like wearing more layers, putting flannel sheets and heavy blankets on beds, keeping lap blankets at the ready for sofa time, and drinking warm beverages can make residents cozier without needing to turn up the heat.
A warm, safe family is a happy family!
