Winterizing your home ahead of hazardous storms and cold weather

Stay safe and healthy this winter by preparing your home ahead of hazardous winter storms. Extremely cold temperatures can be dangerous and you just may need to be in your home more than usual. Be sure to check on your peers, especially older adults, as we all do our best to cope with winter and the hazardous conditions it can bring. Each season has its dangers, and winter is no different. The International Code Council offers a comprehensive list of tips and preparations you can make at home and when traveling to make sure you have a safe winter.

Surviving weather conditions is no “walk in the park” but if you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you are more likely to stay safe and healthy when conditions do become dangerous. Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us still may not be ready for its arrival. You’ll need to prepare for power outages and outdoor activities. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months: 

• Winterize your home.
• Install weather stripping, insulation and storm windows.
• Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
• Check your heating systems.
• Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
• Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
• If you do not have a working smoke detector, install one. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
• Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning emergencies.
• Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check or change the battery when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
• Learn the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
• Heat your home safely.
• If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful.
• Turning on the stove for heat is not safe; have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out: extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats, or a fireplace that is up to code with plenty of dry firewood or a gas log fireplace.
• Use fireplaces, wood stoves or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.
• Have your heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Keep a water supply.

With the cold season approaching, businesses also need to remember, safety first, when creating outdoor spaces. The Code Council publication Considerations for Converting
Outdoor Spaces into Temporary Seating Spaces focuses on considerations and guidelines for business owners and designers as we leverage through a pandemic in the winter.

By following safety precautions, one will be prepared for even the coldest winter Mother Nature has to offer.