Winterproofing the Home Office

Here in Seattle, we entered the first storms and significant rainfalls that announced last week's winter season. Flooding and crashing temperatures also often come with both electricity and internet outages. And even if everything is right on track for the cold season – winterproofing your home and your home office are undertakings that should be done as early as possible.

We’ve gathered points to consider when you’re in wintery areas – like we at HSL absolutely are. Making sure early that you’re ready for winter for your home and the home office will ensure that you and your family will be comfortable.

Start by checking into what in and around your house needs winterproofing. If you have to deal with the damage done to your home, it will take away from your workday – and might eat into your carefully saved-up time off plans.

This list can be a bit longer for house owners, who need to check matters that renters can often take for granted. Start by checking around the outside of your home.

·????????Check your foundation. Remember that shifts and elevation changes around your home can cause standing water even away from creeks and rivers.

·????????Ensure your gutters are cleared, so that water cannot dam up and seep into your roof and walls.

·????????Disconnect and drain all outside water connections. A bust pipe can cause significant damage.

·????????Have your furnace and chimney checked and cleared. Blocked furnaces aren’t only a danger to your home but will also cause you cold days as you wait for a fix if things go wrong.

·????????Check for any rot or damage around your walls, basement, or garage. Water creeping in will expand when freezing and cause you even more damage.

·????????Check nearby trees for damage. You don’t want the next storm to take down your fence, the roof, or a wall.

·????????Ensure your insulation is in good shape: Walls, roofs, and basements must be insulated well to prevent frost damage to water piping – and will save on energy costs!

Homeowners aren’t the only ones who should prepare. If you rent a house, the same checks should be done, and problems shared with your landlord. But those of us who rent apartment buildings also have some things to prepare.

·????????Test seals on your windows and doors. You don’t want your warmth to drift into the hallways or cold to enter your home.

·????????Check your water boilers. Looks for leaks, signs of age, and rust. Note if you have less hot water than you might have had before. Nobody likes washing up in cold water during the winter!

·????????Look over any filters, HVAC, and other heating equipment. You’ll want to know if anything isn’t in working order before you need it.

·????????If you have generators for your home or battery packs for your PC, make sure those are in working order.

·????????Pack a small bug-out bag. Stash some necessities you and your family might need in case you need to stay at a hotel or with a friend or a family member while electricity, heat, or warm water are being restored.

·????????Have a small bag of pet needs ready. If you need to leave your home for more than a day, you should readily have food and other daily needs at hand.

·????????Keep at least one phone backup battery charged. You might need to call your office or ask for help if you get cut off.

·????????Have some food at hand that you can make without needing a stove. Sandwiches, canned fruit, and chilled desserts can help you in a pinch.

·????????Check your insurance policies for gaps before you end up having to file any claims. It’s not too late to talk to your agent to fix some problems not addressed, such as wind or water damage.

·????????Make sure radiators can radiate. Not only is it a fire hazard to have items on or against your radiators, but they will also not give off as much warmth if hidden behind or under objects.

And then, there is your home office itself.

Feeling comfortable and cozy will improve both your mood and your productivity. While we don’t look at just the numbers, many of us tend to feel irritable if we cannot get a good day’s work in.

Remember that you want to be warm, comfortable, and safe. Even without a winter storm breaking loose, it is good to remember that your home office still is your home, and comfort isn’t something you have to forego.

·????????Don’t keep your home office too warm. It can make you feel drowsy or sleepy if you feel too warm.

·????????Enjoy a hot beverage! Coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate can warm your hands and give you something to feel cozy with from the inside.

·????????Have a blanket on or near your chair. Some mornings you might just want a touch extra over your legs to keep a chill off.

·????????Lamb skin rugs give us wonderfully comfortable warmth. Have one on your office chair and maybe under your feet. They keep away the cold while being delightfully soft.

·????????Take breaks. No matter which season, allow your body to have breaks from sitting at your desk. Maybe refill that hot tea!

Finally, it’s a good idea to have a plan in case of significant problems. What if your energy goes out and has been for a while? Is your internet down? Does it look like you might be unable to leave your home due to an unexpected problem? Make sure to have plans beforehand!

·????????Build your community. Exchange contacts with neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Offer help if you can give it, and reach out if you need it.

·????????Scout out places to recharge your phone or hop on a laptop for a while. Cafés, public libraries, or local motels/hotels should be known in more severe cases.

·????????Have some cash at hand. If the internet is down, you might need a bit of money for a taxi, to pay for a food delivery service, or to be able to pay for a stay away from home.

·????????If you’re in a remote location, find out who can help you out if your power or internet goes out. Arrange a possible stay-over before an emergency might happen.

·????????Check in with your friends and coworkers. Maybe someone got cut off from the grid and cannot seek help. Checking in on someone can make all the difference for them.

Being winter-safe is all about being prepared for outages, service disruptions, and staying safe for a few days, should you find yourself cut off. We encourage the team to make plans, stay in touch, and ask for help if they need it. Several of the tips in this guide came directly from habits our team has developed during the cold season to make sure everyone is safe and taken care of.