Winter tips from our experts to help you get through those cold spells! T I PS F OR T H E HOME Things to keep in mind for your home this winter. The silent killer If you don’t have one, get a carbon monoxide detector. With the water heater in overdrive, the furnace fighting the cold, and the fireplace burning, great conditions for carbon monoxide exist. Have one already? Make sure to check the batteries. Windows, windows, windows Insulate your windows to minimize heat loss. Installing blinds or drapes is an easy first step. You could even consider getting thermal curtains in those extra drafty rooms! There is also insulation film you can easily apply which is available at most hardware stores. What’s in the attic? For the more ambitious among us, insulating the attic if it isn’t already can be a huge gamechanger. This will save money on your power bills, keep you warm, and it should last many years! Where does the hot air go? Are your ceiling fans running clockwise? You should be turning them to run counterclockwise on low to keep the hot air circulating. You can also put a fan pointing down the stairs, which will pull the hot air back down to lower levels of your house. Do you have safety supplies in your vehicle? It may seem like a nuisance to carry around extra items, but if you find yourself in an emergency situation, it is very worth the small inconvenience. Supplies you should be carrying: • Warm blanket (thermal blankets are best) • Warm jacket, clothes, boots • Candles, waterproof matches o A deep can to put the candle in • Window ice scraper • Water bottles (replace every 6 months) • Roadmaps • Whistle • First aid kit with a seatbelt cutter • Small shovel • Food that won’t spoil (ex. energy bars) T I P S F O R TH E V E H I C LE We live in Canada, which means for many of us, intense winters! And yet, many Canadians are unprepared for getting caught in potentially dangerous (and cold) situations.
5 Publizr Home