General winter safety tips
When a severe storm or winter emergency strikes, it’s good to have a plan and some key items on hand. Here’s what we recommend for general winter preparedness:
- Follow the Four P's of Winter Preparedness: Protect People by dressing in layers and staying indoors during extreme cold; Pets by bringing them inside or providing shelter and water; Pipes by insulating them and letting faucets drip to prevent freezing; and Plants by covering them or moving them indoors to protect from frost.
- Invest in a Backup Power Source: Consider investing in a generator or a portable power bank to keep your critical devices charged, especially if you rely on medical equipment.
- Prepare a Winter Storm Survival Kit: Assemble a kit that includes non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, and other essentials to stay safe during potential power outages.
Home maintenance for winter safety
One of the best things you can do to prepare for the winter weather is to make sure that your home is protected against the effect of cold, storms, and drafts. Take care of these winter preparedness home maintenance tasks to better prepare your home:
- Weatherproof Your Home: Beyond caulking and weatherstripping, consider insulating your walls and attic to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce energy consumption.
- Install Storm Windows or Coverings: If you haven't already, set up storm windows or cover your windows with plastic from the inside to add an extra layer of insulation against cold drafts.
- Insulate Pipes: Burst pipes can cause major damage to your home. Check your plumbing and ensure your pipes are well-insulated to prevent freezing.
- Practice Fireplace and Chimney Safety: Before lighting that cozy fire, have your chimney cleaned and inspected to reduce fire hazards.
Shoveling snow safely
Did you know that shoveling heavy snow may increase your risk of a heart attack or a sudden cardiac arrest? Although this is one of the most classic winter home maintenance activities, the hard work of shoveling snow can put extra stress on your heart when you’re not used to it. Take a minute to make sure you do it right to avoid injury.
- Take it Slow: Shoveling increases your heart rate and can put a strain on your body. Think of shoveling like a marathon, not a sprint — take your time and listen to your body!
- Use Proper Technique: Lift with your legs, not your back, and use an ergonomic shovel to minimize strain. Remember to take breaks, pace yourself, and avoid overexertion.
- Prevent Slips: Wear sturdy boots with good traction to keep your footing secure. Spread salt or sand on walkways for extra grip.
Roof snow removal tips
When a big storm rolls in, it’s essential to remove excess snow from your roof to prevent structural damage. Follow these roof winter safety tips to make sure you do it safely:
- Use a Roof Rake: Instead of climbing onto your roof, use a long-handled roof rake to clear snow while staying safely on the ground. Using a roof rake reduces the risk of falling on your slippery shingles and lets you keep your feet firmly planted where they belong.
- Clear Snow Early and Often: Don’t let snow accumulate too much before removing it. Clearing your roof regularly helps prevent the formation of heavy ice dams, which can damage your roof and lead to leaks inside your home.
- Improve Attic Ventilation: Proper ventilation can help reduce ice buildup by keeping your roof closer to the outdoor temperature, minimizing the risk of ice dams. A well-ventilated attic is a big step toward preventing winter roof damage.
Prevent carbon monoxide buildup
Your house needs to be heated against the winter chill, but this season also comes with the risk of carbon monoxide buildup. Make taking precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning part of your winter preparedness toolkit.
- Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ensure all detectors in your home are functioning and have fresh batteries. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, so a working detector is your first line of defense.
- Ventilate Your Home Properly: Make sure gas appliances like your furnace, fireplace, and space heaters are venting properly to prevent carbon monoxide from building up. Don’t block vents or let snow pile up around outdoor exhaust outlets.
- Never Use Gas Appliances Indoors for Heat: While it may be tempting, don’t use your oven, grill, or any unvented gas appliance as a heat source. These can release dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Stay Winter-Ready With American Home Shield®
Extreme cold weather or storms tend to catch us off guard, but with this winter weather safety checklist, you’ll be prepared long before the first snowflake falls. Unfortunately, even with the best preparations, sometimes things don’t go as planned.
That’s where an American Home Shield® home warranty plan comes in, offering your major home systems and appliances coverage against unexpected winter breakdowns. Plus, with the HVAC tune-up included in most plans, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your system will run reliably when you need it most during the cold winter months.
AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.
