Having a family is a big responsibility, and it’s important to ensure that you do everything you can to keep every single member – children, grandparents, even pets – as safe as possible. Over the winter period, there is a lot more to think about in terms of safety around the home, and this list should give you some ideas on things to check up on before winter really sets in.
Pipes
Pipes are vulnerable to freezing and bursting during the winter, and this can lead to severe issues when it comes to having water in your home. Plus, they can be expensive to fix. So it’s better to prevent this from happening rather than having to deal with the consequences if it does. Ideally, you should disconnect your garden hoses, and drain any water that is left in the spigot. Any automatic sprinkler systems should be drained as well. One of the reasons that pipes burst is due to a pressure build-up, so if the temperature is going to drop, leave outside faucets trickling a tiny bit. That will mean the pressure can’t build up. Another good idea is to insulate your pipes using foam and special pipe sleeves.
Roof
If snow is threatening, check your roof. There might be loose, missing, or damaged tiles up there, which aren’t an issue during the warmer months and could easily go unnoticed. However, in the winter, if it snows or if there is heavy rain or storms, these problem shingles could allow a leak. Check your guttering too for any leaves or other debris that will need to be cleared.
Clear The Paths
Removing snow and ice from your paths and driveway is extremely important. This will prevent slips and falls, which can lead to broken bones in the worst cases. Prepare in advance by keeping a snow shovel or snow blower in the garage, as well as a sack of rock salt or ice melt which can be sprinkled on steps and walkways to stop more ice from forming.
Batteries
Having a good stock of batteries in the home is another essential yet often forgotten element of keeping your family safe. Power outages during the winter happen a lot more often, yet the power is required a lot more (particularly lighting since it gets dark a lot earlier). Having a good stock of batteries for battery operated lighting and flashlights will mean you can stay safe in the home and prevent additional falls. Batteries can also be used for radios which will give you updates on the weather, and will be a form of entertainment if things are really bad.
Keep Healthy
As well as checking your home’s health, it’s a good idea to check your family’s too. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the vet to check on your pet too. A place like thevet.co.uk will be able to give your furry loved ones the care they need without having to schedule an appointment. Schedule a routine check-up for everyone in the home, just to make sure that no one is coming down with anything nasty. Viruses and illness are prevalent during winter, and are especially dangerous for the very young and the elderly. However, no one wants to get sick, and one person being unwell can lead to everyone else catching the illness. It can also have a knock-on effect if the kids can’t get to school, or the adults can’t get to work.
Tammie~