For those living in Michigan, this has been the kind of winter that makes people consider the snowbird lifestyle. And while those who love epic amounts of snow and chilly temperatures might be contented, the fact is that others will find themselves a little bit overwhelmed with just how freezing freezing can actually feel. Fortunately, it's possible to learn important lessons from bad weather: like how to prepare a living space properly in years to come, or how to fix mistakes during this particular season as to avoid having to pay big bucks to fix burst pipes or flooded basements. Here are some simple winter preparation steps that can be used even in the midst of the chilliest part of the year. Consider it home security against the elements.
-Be sure to always leave the water running a little bit. This is a very important move, and one that often is forgotten until there are a few feet of water in the basement. When the pipes freeze, they burst. But when water is moving through the pipes, they cannot freeze. So leave the hot water dripping, and this way the pipes will not end up turning into icicles.
-Never put space heaters next to furniture or anything flammable. This is a major home security issue, and one that people should be thinking about throughout the chilly months. When space heaters are being used, it's crucial to not put them close to anything flammable. Ditto for regular heaters: don't throw a winter jacket on top of one without thinking and then pay the price.
-Avoid the desire to keep the fireplace going all night long. It might smell great and be a romantic way to stay warm, but fire is something that should be supervised. Don't leave it untended, and be sure to always have the chimney cleaned out before the season when it's being used actually begins.
-Don't try to heat a home with a stove. It's an easy way to end up with carbon monoxide poisoning and a bad idea for warmth. If things are so bad that the heat cannot be turned on, go to someone else's house before attempting this as a viable warmth strategy.
-Clear snow that could pose a problem. If the gutters are clogged with the latest winter storm, chances are that they might fall and hurt someone. Ditto for branches that are older and hanging above power lines or cars. Get out there and clear the snow off before someone gets seriously hurt or property gets damaged. But don't be so worried about home security that impulsive snow-clearing begins happening during the middle of a blizzard! One's own personal safety is still important.
-Use home security systems that can detect carbon monoxide and smoke. This is a great move year-round, but a particularly important one during the winter months, when all of the devices going tend to lead to more carbon monoxide leaks. Having a detector that is incorporated with the regular alarm means the opportunity to actually hear any warning noise that is going off, so be sure to invest in that kind of extra help.
-Be sure to always leave the water running a little bit. This is a very important move, and one that often is forgotten until there are a few feet of water in the basement. When the pipes freeze, they burst. But when water is moving through the pipes, they cannot freeze. So leave the hot water dripping, and this way the pipes will not end up turning into icicles.
-Never put space heaters next to furniture or anything flammable. This is a major home security issue, and one that people should be thinking about throughout the chilly months. When space heaters are being used, it's crucial to not put them close to anything flammable. Ditto for regular heaters: don't throw a winter jacket on top of one without thinking and then pay the price.
-Avoid the desire to keep the fireplace going all night long. It might smell great and be a romantic way to stay warm, but fire is something that should be supervised. Don't leave it untended, and be sure to always have the chimney cleaned out before the season when it's being used actually begins.
-Don't try to heat a home with a stove. It's an easy way to end up with carbon monoxide poisoning and a bad idea for warmth. If things are so bad that the heat cannot be turned on, go to someone else's house before attempting this as a viable warmth strategy.
-Clear snow that could pose a problem. If the gutters are clogged with the latest winter storm, chances are that they might fall and hurt someone. Ditto for branches that are older and hanging above power lines or cars. Get out there and clear the snow off before someone gets seriously hurt or property gets damaged. But don't be so worried about home security that impulsive snow-clearing begins happening during the middle of a blizzard! One's own personal safety is still important.
-Use home security systems that can detect carbon monoxide and smoke. This is a great move year-round, but a particularly important one during the winter months, when all of the devices going tend to lead to more carbon monoxide leaks. Having a detector that is incorporated with the regular alarm means the opportunity to actually hear any warning noise that is going off, so be sure to invest in that kind of extra help.
Winter Preparation: Beyond Home Security For Michigan Homeowners