Winter Safety Tips

I know the winter season brings a lot of anticipation and excitement for kids and adults alike. However, even though there are so many fun things associated with this season, we do need to remember that winter can also bring a lot of hardships to those who aren’t prepared. Frozen pipes, loss of electricity and hazardous driving conditions are just a few of the many problems that are often associated with winter. The good news is that these problems and those occurring as a result of these issues, can often be prevented with a little preparation. Below are some winter safety tips to ensure you and your family aren’t caught off guard when “Old Man Winter” comes knocking.

• Thoroughly Inspect the Heater and Its Components: If you haven’t already done so, now is an excellent time to go and check over your heater and all of its components to make sure everything is in good working order. Many people find that their heater malfunctions at the beginning of winter due to the fact that it hasn’t been ran in nine months or more. You can prevent any hardship resulting from this issue, by checking it out ahead of time. If it looks like a potential problem may occur, call in a professional to inspect it and fix any issues it has.
• Check Gasoline Levels in the Generator: It’s important that you keep your generator full of gasoline at all time because you never know when a serious winter storm is going to hit. Sometimes storms that don’t look bad turn serious very quickly and there may not be time for you to fill up the generator if the electricity goes out. It’s also a good idea to fire up the generator every so often to ensure that it is still in good working order.
• Replace Bad Tires: If the tread on your tires look like they are close to being dubbed “bald” then you need to get them replaced before the heart of winter arrives. When snow and ice get stuck to the road, you really need all the traction you can get from your tires to help keep you out of the ditch. If you live in an area where chains are used to help maneuver through these hazardous conditions, get them out and have them ready to go before any bad weather arrives.
• Keep a First Aid Kit in the Car: Even though you may have a newer car, new tires and are experiencing no car trouble, that doesn’t mean something unexpected can’t happen and leave you stranded somewhere in a snowstorm. Make sure that you have a first aid kit in the vehicle as well as a thick/heavy blanket and some non-perishable food items that you can get to in case of an emergency. It’s always better to be over-prepared than to not be prepared at all.

I am hoping that no one has to go through any winter hardships this year, but just in case something unexpected happens, it’s best to be prepared to soften the blow. The above list should help you with that. Are there any other winter safety tips that I have forgotten?