7 Ways to Keep your Home Safe During Winter

Home safety, especially during winter, is determined by a lot of factors. You do not just protect your home from burglaries; you strive to keep it safe from winter-related problems that may be costly to rectify. Hence the numerous warnings and online discussions about how to ensure home safety during winter months when the days get shorter and the weather gets extremely cold. Below are seven safety tips to get you started. 

Winterize your pipes

It is unfortunate that most homeowners never understand the need for winterizing their pipes. Most people will argue that if the pipes block during winter, they will unblock automatically during the hot months ahead. But, water in pipes during winter can freeze at very low degrees and end up bursting your pipes. Hence the need to disconnect all the garden hoses and drain all the residue water in the outdoor spigots. Also, insulate your home and interior pipes properly to avoid internal frozen pipes. 

Inspect the roof

Unlike other months, checking your roof’s condition before winter sets in is paramount. Look out for damages, missing shingles and loose joints that may leak during storms or when the snow melts. Depending on the severity of roof damages, you can make the repairs yourself or hire a roofing contractor to do the job for you. Also, remember to clear leaves and debris from the roof because they hold moisture over winter and cause roof rot. 

Brace yourself for a power outage

Heavy rains, snows and ice take down power lines easily and leave you in the dark and cold. As such, it is advisable to buy a generator, flashlights, and lanterns before the season begins. These items can be the most important in your home safety tools. Have two phone batteries to avoid getting disconnected when the power goes off and keep all your items at reach. 

Check outdoor lighting

Since winter days are shorter and nights longer, it means that you spend most of your time in the dark. It also means that thieves and burglars have easy access to your home when you are away at work. So, be sure to check that all your outdoor lights are functioning and bright enough. If they have been in use since last winter, replace them to ensure that they function strongly the entire season. 

Avoid ice dams and icicles

Ice dams occur as a result of leaks inside the house or inadequate air insulation in the attic. They not only damage your home’s exterior but also lead to melt water getting in the house. Icicles, on the other hand, may look charming but present numerous hazards and injury risks. Hire a home security professional to inspect your house for possible problems that could lead to ice dams and icicles and if they occur during winter. 

Leave the walkways and driveways clear

Remove snow, ice and overgrown grass from the driveways and walkways to keep your family safe. So, ensure that you trim the grass in advance and check the condition of your snow shovels and tune up your snow blower. After it starts to snow, plow your walkway and driveway and follow up with rock salt or ice melt to avoid ice build-ups. 

Keep germs at bay

Certain illnesses that are caused by bacteria and viruses thrive more during winter months. Also, the fact that everyone stays indoors increases the chances of getting sick. So, keep the house a little cooler to deter viruses and let in fresh air as much as possible. Follow the common but important germ prevention precautions like washing your hands after using the washroom and before eating. 

Home safety is very important for every family. You want your family to be in their best mood and health always. Therefore, taking safety precautions during winter months should be a routine. Also, ensure that you orientate your family about the need to keep the home safe and what they should do or not do to stay safe.