It’s Time to Prepare for Winter Storms and Extreme Weather

1/9/2022 (Permalink)

If winter weather should bring damage to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of North Kenosha County for fast, restorative solutions.

Winter on Lake Michigan is an event that requires preparation. A casual approach to winter weather will leave home and business owners dealing with unwanted fallout from snow, ice and other winter hazards.

The risks of winter weather should never be overlooked. So whether you’re new to the area, or a Kenosha County lifer, let’s review a few of the most important items you need to be thinking about as we head into another harsh winter season.

Protect Your Family

When Old Man Winter comes out swinging with both fists, you’ll be glad you have an emergency action plan in place to keep your family safe. Your plan, when crafted and rehearsed, can set your family on a safe course of action in a heavy winter storm or weather event.

Prepare your cars as well—check every tire for excessive wear, and rotate or replace any as needed. Top off all your fluids, especially that antifreeze, and check your battery for good life. A healthy car in late fall can keep you running through winter.

It’s also time to check the stock of your emergency kits at home and in the car, ensuring you have water, food and first-aid supplies necessary for everyone should a crisis arise.

Protect Your Home

Frozen pipes are every cold-weather homeowner’s nemesis, so make sure you’re doing everything you can to avoid them. Let faucets drip when the cold gets bitter, and insulate every pipe you can.

Speaking of insulation, check the insulation in your attic and the sealing of your windows—these can let unnecessary cold air inside if they’re lacking.

Have your HVAC checked, and allow a pro to perform maintenance on it if necessary. Better to have a little work done now that to have it fizzle on you in the dead of winter.

If you use wood-burning sources for heat, get yourself some extra firewood in case you get shut in at any point. Use your fireplace or furnace safely every time, and make sure it stays clean and well-ventilated.

Protect Your Pets

Bring your pets indoors during the cold—the vast majority of dogs and cats aren’t created to withstand the harsh extremes of winter. If you have horses or livestock that have to stay outside, make sure they have reliable sources of shelter and water, and make sure their water stays fresh and doesn’t freeze.

Watch for Melts and Flooding

Dangerous floods and ice dams can occur during and after Great Lakes winters, and they can present serious risks for both homeowners and municipal areas.

If winter weather should bring damage or flooding to your home or business, contact SERVPRO for fast, restorative solutions.