PREPARING FOR WINTER WEATHER
Fall is coming to a close and with it the chilling temperatures and snowfall of winter is just around the corner. Fortunately there’s still time to get your home, auto, and family ready!
We know all too well that extreme cold and icy roads are not a what if in Colorado and Utah, but a when. This means now is the time to follow the home and auto tips below to stay safe and limit damage to your property and loved ones. WINTER PREPARATION TIPS
Prepare your home by:
- Performing basic winter maintenance
- Insulate your walls and attic
- Caulk and weather-strip drafty doors and windows
- Insulate water lines that run along outer walls
- Disconnect hoses from outside spigots
- It can be helpful to keep cabinets under sinks open to allow warmer air in
- For fireplace or wood stoves, have the chimney or flue inspected and cleaned
- Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning, test them monthly and replace batteries
- Check emergency supplies to ensure you have adequate food and water, along with a battery-powered radio, in the event of an extended power outage. It’s a good idea to have week’s worth of supplies or more if you live in a remote area or if store shelves become empty for any reason
- Remember to NEVER use gas-powered generators or barbecue grills indoors, they allow deadly carbon monoxide to build up which can be lethal
Preparing your car
- Have your vehicle serviced according to manufacturer recommendations. Check the antifreeze level
- Keep the gas tank near full, which helps avoid ice in the fuel lines and the gas tank itself
- Replace wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture
- Put a ice scraper in the trunk
- Make sure your tires are in good shape and ready to grip an icy or snow backed road
- Check to confirm your battery has a good charge, your heater and defroster are working well, and that your emergency lights are functional
- Keep a Winter Traveling Car Essentials in your car
Preparing yourself
- Wear temperature-appropriate clothing, such as hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
- Remove wet clothing immediately, keep spare clothing in your car trunk throughout winter in case you become stranded or stuck
- Stay hydrated. You might think this is more important when it’s warm outside, but it’s just as vital in winter.
- Be mindful of physical exertion and the amount of time you’re spending outdoors. Shoveling snow is hard work, so don’t overdo it!
- Review the Red Cross Winter Storm Safety Checklist
Winter is a lot of fun (despite the snow shoveling). Stay prepared and safe so you can enjoy the upcoming sledding, skiing and snowboarding trips to all of you favorite destinations this year.
Contact Us or Get a Quote!
At ALINK Insurance Services, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at any of our offices today!
Denver Metro/Parker: (303) 752-6479
Colorado Springs: (719) 473-6262
Saratoga Springs: (385) 382-0038
Surrounding States: (877) 643-6148
