VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 1 WINTER 2024
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WINTER SAFETY TIPS AROUND THE HOUSE: IS YOUR HOUSE READY?
BY JACKIE SHEA
I t’s officially time to buckle down for winter weather. Maryland often gets most of our snow in January and February, and they are calling for a lot of it this year!
Here are some tips for preparing for the colder months:
If you haven’t already, make sure to winterize sprinkler systems, exterior spigots, and drain outside hoses. When water pipes have standing water, it freezes to ice and can burst! This can cause major destruction in and outside your home. I learned this at my first apartment community I worked at and spent hours running in and out of townhomes turning off the spewing water. Several homes were damaged and freezing water was everywhere. This one is important! Make sure trees are trimmed and healthy. Dead trees and low-hanging branches risk falling onto your house and roof, and that can be super costly and dangerous. Even if they fall onto your property, they could damage exterior items and vehicles – or your fence. Keep an eye on these going into the cold season. Check for gaps in window and door seals. Often, all they need is a little caulking. Even the smallest leak will allow cold air in, driving up utility bills. Set your ceiling fans on reverse. Some say that making sure the fan rotates clockwise helps to circulate the air this time of year. Inspect your fireplace and ensure the flue is clear and the damper opens and closes safely. This could be a real safety hazard. Change your air filter – this could be done more often, but always at the start of a new season. Test your heat and consider getting your ducts cleaned – both dryer vents and HVAC. There are specialty HVAC companies that will perform a routine inspection to ensure all is well and there are no concerns with carbon monoxide or other dangerous chemicals. Wipe down & vacuum out your vents.
And lastly, you might want to hit up the hardware store for some salt…and sleds!
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