5 Tips to Stay Safe and Warm

Are you ready for the cold nights of winter? Do you have your back up heat source ready? Kerosene containers filled? Propane tanks stored properly? Do you have candles, matches and lighters ready for power outages? With the cold already settling in a little earlier than normal this year, it’s time to be prepared for the ‘just in case’ scenarios. Hopefully, we won’t experience any ice storms or winter emergencies, but have you covered all the bases?

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5 Tips for Staying Safe and Warm

Now is the time to go through and do a safety check to make sure your home will be warm all winter long, but will also be a safe haven for you and your loved ones. Here are a few reminders and tips to help us stay safe and warm.

Check your Smoke Alarms:

Now is the time to check and replace old smoke alarms. For around $30.00, we ordered the combination Smoke Alarm/Carbon Monoxide Detector to put up in our living room. We are also adding a new alarm in our unfinished basement. It only costs a few dollars to make sure that every place in our house is equipped with a detector that has the potential to save our lives.

If you haven’t checked the batteries in your smoke alarms recently, let this be your reminder! Go check today!

Use a Safer Socket:

In addition to always using a surge protector, there are power sockets that you can plugin to help monitor the heat in your sockets. The Safer Socket is a fire prevention device that protects your home and loved ones from the hidden dangers of an electrical fire that is started from overheated sockets and plugs. The Safer Socket continually monitors the temperature of the outlet and plugs of the appliances that are plugged into it. If potential fire-causing temperatures are detected, Safer Socket automatically shuts off the plugged-in appliances.

We recently started using 4 of the Safer Sockets in strategic places in our home where we have a lot of things plugged in. I also wanted one downstairs in the unfinished basement where I have the treadmill and stereo plugged in. Because I’m not down there on a regular basis, I wanted to make sure that there was an added layer of security in case I happened to forget to turn it off or unplug it.

Buy a Fire Extinguisher:

Every kitchen should have a small fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location. You can buy one for under $25.00 that will help protect your family if a kitchen fire starts. Not only do you need to have one in your kitchen, but every family member should know how to use it.

Use Space Heaters Wisely:

As the weather gets colder, more people are turning to alternative heat sources. Use common sense when plugging in space heaters. Check the plug connections to make sure they are not frayed or have loose connections. Be aware of what is around the heater. Don’t have it sitting too near curtains, blankets or clothes. Read the instructions to see if it there are special precautions for that model.

Be aware of open flames:

With the holiday season approaching, we will all be burning festive candles. Don’t leave the room or house with the candles burning. Be careful of loose papers if you have a candle burning on your counter.

By taking some precautions now, we can help avoid problems that might happen this winter. Are you prepared for the winter cold? Be safe and stay warm!