5 Winter Home Safety Tips

Winter weather and plummeting temperatures are just around the corner. Our 5 winter home safety tips will help prepare you for whatever mother nature throws our way.

1. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
You should always change the batteries in your household smoke and CO detectors at least once per year.  Check the detector’s expiration date, which can be found on the bottom of the detector.  If there’s no expiration date, know that the average CO detector has a life expectancy of 3-5 years, while smoke detectors need replaced every 8-10 years.

2. Ensure Proper Ventilation

Don’t forget to clean your home’s return and supply vents, dryer vent, as well as your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.  Inadequate ventilation at any time of the year can lead to harmful indoor air conditions.

3. Filter Replacements

Furnace filters should be replaced every 2-3 months. However, during the winter it’s always a good idea to change them more frequently. More time spent indoors, means more dust accumulation as well as more airborne particles & contaminants. Routine replacements keep your heating system running at peak performance, improves your indoor air quality and saves you on energy usage.

4. Schedule a Furnace Inspection
Getting a yearly furnace inspection and cleaning not only ensures that your heating system is functioning properly but also safely. During an inspection our experts can identify problems such as wearing parts or CO leaks. Early detection can save you money, help you avoid an untimely system breakdown and give you peace of mind knowing that your system is performing as it should.

5. Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters before the first snowfall will help you prevent water and ice build-up that can cause serious damage to your roof and your home.