Winter Safety Tips

Posted on January 13th, 2016 by Devine Bros

People love the wintertime for a variety of reasons – holidays, cozy sweaters, and snow sports to name a few. While winter does have its perks, safety is not one of them. Cold weather, dangerous driving conditions, and increased risk of home fires all work together to make winter the most dangerous season of all.

Protect yourself, your family, and your home with these winter safety tips from Devine Bros.

Keep your heaters clear.

Baseboard heaters and radiators often present fire hazards during the winter months. Make sure to give them at least three feet of room to ventilate and avoid all contact with flammable materials such as curtains, furniture, and clothing.

Shovel safely.

For those of us who live in Norwalk, Connecticut, snow is an inevitable part of every winter. More than 10,000 people are injured while shoveling every year, so it is important to take proper safety precautions. These include dressing in layers, wearing slip-resistant shoes, and lifting with the legs.

Monitor your home’s CO2 levels.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is odorless and colorless, leaving it completely undetectable by humans. Your heating system emits this gas, which is usually released to the outside. However, if there is a blockage, it could be venting into your home. Stay safe by installing carbon monoxide detectors in every area of the house and testing them regularly.

Prepare an emergency kit.

Winter is a common time for power outages due to severe snow storms. Prepare for them by putting together an emergency kit in advance. This kit should include non perishable foods, water, flashlights, and an emergency radio. Keeping a similar kit in your car is a good idea, too.

Have your heating system inspected.

Heating systems that are not properly functioning can put your home in danger of fires and high levels of carbon monoxide. Having a professional technician inspect your furnace at the start of every heating season can prevent these dangers by identifying warning signs and making the necessary changes or repairs.

Devine Bros. provides heating oil delivery and furnace tune ups, repairs, and installations to Norwalk, CT and the surrounding areas. Fairfield County has trusted us to keep warm for almost 100 years, and you can too! Give us a call at 203-866-4421 to get started.