Winter is coming! As an insurance agency that covers you for home and auto, we want to make sure those resources are serving you well into the cold months. With the weather getting more extreme, we shouldn’t take any chances. We have some winter prep tips to help your home and auto make it through the season!
Home Prep for Winter
Aside from all the Fall chores you have to do around the house, we have some more pressing matters for safety. Winter weather can bring harsh conditions that could keep you from leaving your home and cut off necessary resources. Here are a few winter prep tips to make sure you and your family are prepared at home.
Invest in a Backup Generator
When you truly depend on your electric, it needs to work. One of these times is during the winter. If your heat is electric, don’t risk it going out. You don’t want to be stuck in the cold and dark. Backup generators are not cheap, but they are a worthy investment.
Get a Roof Inspection
This item might also be on your fall maintenance list. Make it a priority! When snow falls onto your roof, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t end up as an ice bank or causing any leaks. This inspection should also include your gutters, as they play an important role in directing melted ice water away from the house.
Store Extra Food
Sometimes we get stranded in our homes when the roads get icy. Make sure you have a little stockpile of non-perishable food that your family can eat on for at least a week, if necessary.
Don’t forget to have extra water set aside to last about that long as well.
Build Emergency Kits
If you don’t already have one for each family member, now is the time to make them. These bags should help you survive for several days. Here is a list of what should be included. Make sure you rotate out old food, batteries, and other expired items when necessary. Keep them in a place where everyone can get to them easily.
Insulate Your Home
If you haven’t already, use caulking and weatherstripping to keep the cold air out. This will especially help on those bitter days. Learn how to insulate your pipes to avoid them freezing and busting.
Prepare the Exterior
Disconnect your hose from your outside water line and store. Turn the outdoor water line off. Aside from the cold temperatures you’ll also want to be ready for the snow. Make sure you have a plan for your drive and walks. If you have a snowblower make sure it’s in good operation. Purchase salt, sand, and a plow for the walkways.
Car Prep for Winter
Using your car during the winter months can be a lot riskier. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. Be prepared for any of these moments!
Be Informed about Driving in Snow & Ice
Foremost, don’t drive in truly dicey weather. Unless it’s an emergency, it can wait. When you are out in the winter elements, it’s good to know a few tips to keep you out of the ditch. Here are some helpful things to know.
Emergency Kits for Your Car
Just like in your home, create an emergency kit for your car. This should include a few different items such as jumper cables, sand, warm clothes, and more. Here is a list!
Know What to Do When Stranded
Since it isn’t a normal occurrence, we often fail when it comes to knowing what to do when we get stranded. The winter weather can make it even more tricky and lethal. Here are some things to note:
- Stay in the Car: When it’s below freezing, limit the time you spend outside. Call for help and wait in the car.
- Crack a Window: While we don’t want cold air to get in, we also need fresh air to circulate. Crack a window slightly to make sure fresh air is getting in.
- Run Heat Periodically: If your car can still run, kick on the heat now and then.
- Only Use Cell Phones When Necessary: You’ll need to reserve as much cell phone battery as you can. Run it on airplane mode if it’s low. Resist the urge to use high-powered apps like Facebook. Make sure it’s not running in the background.
- Stay Motivated and Positive: These situations can leave us feeling hopeless, which can also lead to depression or panic. Keep your mind busy with what’s next. Play a game or start a journal/list. Have some reading material to pass the time.
Don’t Get Frozen Out
Just in case the car locks freeze, keep a can of anti-freeze lock spray handy in all the places you might be (home, work, relative’s house). If you don’t have any of this spray on location, it’s alright! Here are some ways to unfreeze a lock.
Bottom Line for Winter Prep Tips
We hope these winter prep tips have helped you become a little more mindful of what’s coming and prepared to deal with it. Winter can be beautiful, but deadly. Don’t take it for granted. Hang these tips on the fridge and send it to family and friends. Be worry-free for the holidays!
Just like these precautions, insurance will also help soften the blow of any incident that threatens your livelihood. If you are looking for an insurer that can help keep you covered, look no further! Trust our local Centerville team of insurance experts to sit down with you in our office or at your dining room table to listen to you, develop a plan and provide you with the products that will make you bullet-proof in the face of life’s unexpected events. Contact Greg Fay Insurance today!
