Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes is Here to Help with any disaster this winter. Call 712-262-4379

Each year, hundreds of Americans are injured or killed by exposure to cold, vehicle accidents on wintery roads, and fires caused by improper use of heaters. Winter storms can bring large amounts of snow, extreme cold, high winds, freezing rain and ice. Prepare now so you can stay safe during blizzards and other winter storms. 

Weatherproof Your Home 

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze. 
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Repair roof leaks and trim tree branches that could fall on your home.
• Insulate walls and attic.
• Cover windows with plastic or install thermal-pane windows. 
• If you have a fireplace, keep a supply of wood on hand. 
• Talk with your insurance agent, make sure you have the right coverage.
• Install pipe insulation.
• Seal crawl spaces.
• Let faucets drip.
• Keep garage doors closed.
• Keep thermostat consistent. 
• Set the heat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Open cabinets regularly to let warm air circulate. 

Have Your Chimney Inspected

If you plan on using a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, hire a professional to inspect your chimney or flue each year. 

Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you are using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Make sure to test them monthly and replace the batteries twice a year. 

Stock Your Pantry 

It's important to stay indoors and avoid traveling during a winter storm. Make sure your pantry is stocked with non-perishable items incase you lose power. Granola bars, canned soups, hot coco, bread, fruits and veggies that don't need to be refrigerated are great items to have on hand before the storm. 

Bottled Water 

Make sure that you have plenty of bottled water. If pipes freeze, you will not have access to tap water. 

Emergency Kit 

Before the storm hits, make sure you have easy access to the things you may need in an emergency. 

• NOAA Weather Radio
• Medications
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Cash
• Important Documents
• Fire Extinguisher
• Candles 
• Blankets
• Sleeping Bag
• Pet Supplies
• Matches

Fill Your Prescriptions

Have enough prescription medication on hand for at least 3-7 days to avoid having to travel when the roads are bad. Stocking up on hygiene items such as toilet paper, diapers, and toothpaste is also recommended. 

Ice Melt 

Stores tend to run out of ice melt rather quickly right before a storm. Having enough on hand will allow you to shovel and salt your stairs and walkways before the snow has time to melt and turn into ice. Make sure your snow shovel is free of cracks and have a spare to make life easier when it comes time to digging yourself out. 

Prepare for Blackout

Charge your phone ahead of the storm and make sure to have a portable battery backup on hand. Leaving flashlights or other battery powered lights throughout the house will keep you from stumbling around looking for them. Power outages are common during winter storms in Iowa, you may want to consider purchasing a generator to keep you and your family warm. 

Communicate With Family

You may lose cell reception during a storm, so make sure you have a plan in place with your family so you can connect in an emergency. Older adults often make less body heat because of slower metabolism and less physical activity. Check on elderly friends and neighbors often to make sure their homes are heated properly. 

Get Your Car Ready 

Before a winter storm hits, schedule a winter tune up to check things like antifreeze levels, battery, exhaust system, heater, ignition system, lights and oil. Winter storms can create higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. If you must travel keep a winter emergency kit in your car that includes blankets, tire chains, first aid kit, battery powered radio, maps, flashlight, jumper cables, and sand or kitty litter. 

Stay Informed 

Purchasing a NOAA weather radio is a great way to stay on top of alerts and warnings. You can check the forecast consistently online or on your phone by signing up for local emergency alerts and notifications. Be sure to know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss or disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness and exhaustion. Frostbite presents itself as loss of feeling and white, pale or waxy skin on the extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face and the tip of nose. If you detect these symptoms, move the person to a warm place, use body heat to warm and cover the exposed skin but do not rub the skin as it could damage the tissue. Get the victim to a doctor as soon as possible. 

Protect Your Pets 

If possible, bring your pets inside during cold winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water. If animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate a pet's paws. Wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth. 

It's important to observe all safety precautions when preparing and dealing with a severe winter event. Once the storm has passed, it may be helpful to review your plan and make any adjustments based on what worked well and what procedures needs to be changed. Even with prevention, the cleanup and recovery can be overwhelming after a storm. SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes can help get your home back to pre-storm-damage condition.