You’ve probably heard,… a blizzard is coming! With cold temperatures, heavy snow and high winds, blizzards can create home safety hazards. There are some things that you can do today to help minimize headaches during tomorrow’s storm. Here are a few blizzard home preparation tips for MA residents.
Protect Water Pipes
With frigid temperatures, there’s always a danger of bursting pipes. If you haven’t already done so, consider added some pipe insulation. This is available at your local hardware store and is fairly inexpensive. Consider keeping your thermostat at the same level throughout the day and night. You can also leave one or two faucets at a very slight drip to allow air and pressure to escape through the pipes.
Prepare for Power Outages
Heavy snow and winds are known to bring down power lines. So, track down all of those candles and flashlights in case there is a power outage. Be sure to also have plenty of water plus food that does not require heat to prepare. This will help you ride out the storm. Fortunately, this will be a quick moving storm and should be out of the area within just a day!
Be Careful With Space Heaters
If you are relying on space heaters to warm your home during the blizzard, take extra precautions. Keep heaters a safe distance from any type of upholstery. Always plug heaters directly into the wall outlet instead of using extension cords (as some cords may not be sufficient to handle the load, creating a fire hazard). Lastly, never leave heaters unattended, including leaving them on overnight unless it’s a modern unit with an auto-shutoff feature.
Clear Away Snow from Critical Areas
As the snow starts to build up, be aware of where your heating exhaust pipe is located. There is a greater danger for carbon monoxide poisoning during big snow storms. Make sure that pipe remains clear of snow and debris so that dangerous carbon monoxide gases can be properly exhausted. Additionally, verify that your carbon monoxide detector is properly working by performing a quick test. It’s also a good idea to keep your doors and windows cleared. If you can, address it gradually throughout the storm. This prevents dangerous buildup that may block your exits or cause damage to your property.
More on Blizzard Home Preparation Tips for MA Residents
The above are just a few key blizzard home preparation tips for MA residents. With any type of storm system, it’s important to remain aware of what’s going on around your home so that you can quickly address any potential issues. This includes monitoring the amount of snow accumulating on your roof, paying attention to any weird noises, and taking steps post-storm to further protect your property.
