fbpx

The temperatures are dropping, snowflakes are falling, and Central New Yorkers are bundling up for the winter season. While it is smart to prepare our bodies for the cold as we reach for more sweaters and coats, your home and vehicle need some TLC as well.

 

Winter Home Tips

The cold weather can take its toll on your home. Check out these home tips where we also included some energy saving tips plus a lot more to help you get ready for another Central NY winter.

 

How to Save Energy at Home in Winter

It is easy to spend more money on your heating and electric bills during the colder months. To save on your heating bill, make sure your walls and attics are properly insulated. Also, be sure to caulk and weather-strip windows and doors to prevent the cold seeping in through them. In order to get the most out of your hot water heater, consider an insulated blanket to keep the warmth sealed. In addition, insulation sleeves for water pipes are a good idea as well to slow heat transfer. You may also want to use ceiling fans to your advantage. Set them to slowly rotate clockwise to keep the warm air in the room.

 

Setting Thermostat for Winter

While you may want to crank the heat during all hours of the day and night, it is a good idea to adjust your thermostat while you sleep. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save around 10 percent annually on your heating bills by turning down your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees while your sleep. To stay warm at night, consider flannel sheets and a warmer comforter for your bed.

 

Home Safety Tips

Besides staying warm, check out what else you can do to your home to tackle the winter head-on:

  • Have a contractor check your roof to ensure it is stable enough to handle the weight of heavy snowfall
  • Shovel and salt your sidewalk and driveway to prevent slips and falls
  • Do not leave space heaters or candles unattended
  • Make sure heating vents are cleaned and unblocked

Don’t forget! Your vehicle needs to be looked after as well! Take a look at these tips to make sure your vehicle outlasts the severe cold.

  • Only drive if necessary…do not put your vehicle through the slush and salt if you do not have to go anywhere.
  • If you have to, travel during the day…night time makes it more difficult to see and react, especially if a deer runs into the road.
  • Keep your tank full!...gas, oil, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid… top off everything to ensure no issues during a blizzard.
  • Check your tires…make sure they have enough tread and are properly inflated. You may want to consider snow tires.
  • Pack a winter emergency car kit…Take a look at our previous blog post to learn what to put in an emergency car kit.

 

Top 5 Winter Safety Tips

Do the above vehicle and winter home tips seem overwhelming to you? If you do anything to prepare for the severe cold, follow these five winter safety tips to conquer winter.

Drive safely in the snow…Utilize the tips as mentioned above and prepare your vehicle for the cold temperatures. Watch your speed, leave room for the car in front of you, and always remember that four-wheel drive is not a safety net.

When you can, stay indoors!…avoid the headache of driving in snow and stay home if the weather is bad and you have the option.

Avoid overexertion while shoveling…shoveling a sidewalk or driveway can be a serious workout, so serious it could actually lead to a heart attack or severe back injuries. So be careful to stop and immediately seek medical help if you are experiencing any adverse symptoms.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia…if a loved one experiences uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, memory loss, or disorientation, they may be suffering from hypothermia. Get them to a warm location, remove wet clothing, and warm the center of the body first. If someone you know suffers from loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in their extremities, they may have frostbite. Seek medical attention immediately for both frostbite and hypothermia.

Stay dry and warm…wet clothing transmits cold quickly. Whenever you brace the chilly weather, bundle up and remove wet clothing such as socks and gloves.

 

If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered wrongful death as a result of a winter accident due to someone’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, you need Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi & Pearlman today. The People’s Lawyer of Central New York will fight for you and your rights. Contact us for a free consultation today.

 

 

CONTACT US FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION

Type Of Personal Injury Case

15 + 3 =

Related Blogs

Injured In An Accident?

Contact BMBP Today!

BRINDISI, MURAD & BRINDISI PEARLMAN

UTICA OFFICE

2713 Genesee Street

Utica, NY 13501

OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY – FRIDAY

9AM-5PM