Make These Prep Mistakes For A Rough Winter
Keep your home warm and safe this winter.
When prepping your home for winter, warm and safe are the keywords that often come to mind. However, some common winter prep mistakes can unknowingly create safety hazards instead of preventing them. Here’s a quick rundown of a few of those mistakes to avoid so your home stays safe and cozy during the rest of our cold Minnesota winter.
1. Skipping Furnace Maintenance
Your kitchen may be the heart of the home, but no one is staying in the kitchen unless your furnace is running. Besides it being less efficient, it could break down when you need it most. Simple efforts like not changing the air filters can restrict airflow, increase fire risk, and make your furnace work harder than it should (leading to much higher utility bills!).
2. Blocking or Sealing Vents
You might think closing vents in unused rooms saves energy, but doing this for too many vents it can actually cause extra stress on your furnace. Blocking vents can lead to poor indoor air circulation and even raise carbon monoxide levels if your system can’t ventilate properly. You especially don’t want to place anything flammable near an open vent. When in doubt, keep it clear.
3. Misusing Space Heaters
Space heaters are cozy for extra warmth in that cold corner room, but they can be dangerous if left unattended or placed too close to flammable items like furniture or curtains. Don’t leave space heaters running overnight or in high-traffic areas where they could easily tip over (legends like Mrs. O'Leary's cow in the Great Chicago fire kicking the lantern should come to mind)
4. Overloading Electrical Circuits
The further we get into winter, the easier it is to get carried away with holiday lighting and space heaters and heated blankets… before you know it, you’re overloading electrical circuits leading to short circuits, sparks, or worse, fires. To help, spread the load around to avoid stressing your home’s electrical system. Even newly built homes can have lower load ratings than you might expect.
5. Ignoring Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With the use of heating systems in winter, it’s essential to ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. Don’t forget to test and replace the batteries in your detectors. While preventing a fire is your first priority, being sure you know right away in case one happens is the second line of defence against undetected fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
6. Relying on Candles During Power Outages
Candles might seem cozy, but they can pose a fire hazard. In case of a blackout, using one or two candles is not a bad thing, and can help lighten the mood. However, do not leave candles burning unattended in empty rooms, and do not light too many. In essence, don’t use candles as your primary light source during a power outage. Choose battery-powered lights or flashlights for safety.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your home for winter is all about finding that sweet spot between warmth, comfort, and safety. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be set to enjoy a cozy, secure home all winter long!
