When you wake to the first real snow, and everything is blanketed in white, it can seem pretty magical. What isn’t so magical however are power outages, black ice and many other not-so-fun-things that accompany winter time and snow.
However, there are precautions you and your family can take to make sure wintertime stays fun, and everyone is safe and warm all winter long. Here are four things you and your family can do this winter to stay safe, especially since most of us don’t have the option to hibernate and only come out once spring has arrived.
1. Make Sure your Car is Winter Ready
One of the scariest and hardest parts of winter is having to drive in the snow and ice, and not necessarily because of the weather either.
You can help to avoid these types of injuries by making sure your vehicle is cold-weather equipped. Some ways to do that are to make sure your tires are all-season tires, and they are not bald. Also, make sure to always have chains available just in case the snow becomes too deep to drive without them.
Again, ensure you have coolant, anti-freeze, and plenty of washer fluid to keep your windshield clean and clear always while driving. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors because you will likely have things like heaters and ovens running pretty consistently all winter long.
It’s important to make sure you have a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors. If you already have them in your home, confirm they have full and new batteries in them as well.
2. Check all your Sockets and Lights
Surprisingly, many home fires happen in the wintertime, and a lot of those are electrical fires. If you’re going to be plugging in multiple lights and extension cords, check all electrical outlets to make sure they can handle all you plug into them, as well as ensuring not to overload them.
If you need to replace any of your sockets, you will need to visit an electrical supply store to do so. Also, you can have an electrician inspect everything to make sure it’s good to go.
Also, if you have any stringed lights or decorations with exposed wires make sure to properly dispose of them because they can electrocute someone or cause a fire as well.
3. Put Out all the Flames
Winter means having the fireplace on and candles burning, but always blow them out and turn the fireplace completely off before leaving the house or going to bed.
4. Have an Emergency Kit
It’s a good idea in the wintertime, and any time, to have an emergency kit both in your home and vehicles. Your emergency kit can include things like blankets, extra food, and water, candles, and matches.
This way if the power goes out or you’re stranded in your vehicle, you will have supplies and can stay safe.
Are you someone who likes to hit the slopes every winter? As soon as fresh snow hits, you’re up in the mountains with your skis or snowboard catching those sweet drifts.
Then maybe you’re one of the many who has also experienced one of the standard injuries associated with winter sports. Keep yourself safe this winter. Get tips on avoiding common winter injuries.
