With sub-freezing temps coming our way, hopefully this post will be helpful to those out there looking for a quick checklist. Stay warm!
- Battery-powered flashlights and/or lanterns with extra batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- External cell phone batteries
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable food and don’t forget your pets
- First-aid kit
- Extra blankets and/or sleeping bags
- Layered clothing (works better than single large coats)
- Prescription drugs
- If possible, portable lithium battery power station
- Entertainment (books, board games, cards, etc.)
- Fill your vehicle’s fuel tank
- Contact info for multiple preferred contractors (i.e. plumber)
- Furnace inspected and serviced
- Chimney inspected and cleaned
- Check batteries on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and thermostat
- Seal cracks or openings to prevent pests from seeking shelter inside
- Seal around windows and doors and close blinds/curtains
- Open cabinets to allow circulation around pipes
- Allow slow trickle of water through facets
- Locate the home’s main water shut-off valve
- If unable to prevent pipes from freezing, or you will not be home for a long period of time, consider draining your water pipes
- Keep your thermostat at the same temperature, day and night, no lower than 55 degrees, even if the home will not be occupied
- If possible, reverse ceiling fan direction, which pushes warm air down
- Winterize outdoor facets and irrigation system
- Clear away debris from around HVAC or venting systems
- Trim tree branches that are hanging over roof
- Check outdoor lights and replace bulbs as needed
- Follow your pool pump manufacturers guidelines for winterization
- Seal cracks or openings to prevent pests from seeking shelter inside
- Clear roof gutters
- Cover outdoor plants that are susceptible to freezing temperatures
- If possible, bring potted plants inside garage or home
- Bring your pets indoors
- Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame, consider a hair dryer, with caution, as a possible heat source
- If your pipes have burst, immediately shut off the water supply
- Never operate a generator, camp stove, charcoal grill, gasoline or propane heater indoors
- Never heat a home using a stovetop or oven
- Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents
- Space heaters are a leading cause of home heating fires & deaths
- Unless there is an emergency, stay off the roads
- Check on your neighbors
