Preparing for Winter

Ok, many of us around the country are now becoming aware that winter may come a tad earlier than expected … For example, parts of southern New England (that’s not the mountains of Vermont or New Hampshire), not to mention the Mid-Atlantic states, just received an early Christmas gift of anywhere from 6” to 24” of snow – yikes, I haven’t even turned off my outdoor faucets.

So, it is clearly time to get off our couches and get prepared for the cold weather – hey, it even gets cold in Las Vegas and Florida. So, here are some ideas from www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/ to guide you in this preparation:

• Check home insulation for adequate amounts.
• Caulk and weather-strip outside windows and doors.
• Insulate hot water pipes.
• Prep your snow removal equipment (snow blowers, plows, shovels, snow rakes).
• Change furnace filters regularly.
• Install programmable thermostats.
• Check your car’s antifreeze.
• Have your car’s oil changed and tune-up.
• Check for proper tire pressure.
• Check for proper amounts and type of windshield washer fluid.
• Have plenty of assorted batteries in your home.
• Have a battery operated radio available.
• Check your candle supply as well as ensure you have plenty of operating flashlights.
• Know which channels to check on the radio and the television to find weather, school, and traffic information.
• Know what your local areas warning signals are (ex. siren, horn, etc.)
• Ensure you have plenty of drinking water in the house when an emergency is imminent.
• Check to make sure your first-aid kit is current.
• Have an assorted amount of canned foods (current) and pastas for easily prepared meals.
• Review your supply of medications, prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
• Have rock salt (or some other supply) for de-icing walkways.
• Keep temps in the house at the most efficient, yet safe, levels.
• Always wear multiple layers for warmth, comfort, and ability to adjust your body temperature by removing or adding layers.
• When going outside to work or play, don’t consume alcohol beverages.
• Be smart, practical, and proactive in your winter preparation.

If you’re like me, I can write a great “To do” list, yet I am pretty poor at following through with getting it in place. Make a concerted effort to get as many items checked off your list as possible – it could save your life or someone else’s life!