Winterizing Your Home and Your Family

By Donna Stark

For many people, preparing their home for winter weather is a top priority when the days get shorter and the temperatures fall. They want their home to be safe, cozy, and energy-efficient throughout the cold months, but more importantly, they don't ever want to wake up and find that their loved ones have turned to snowmen during the frigid nights. So they take the proper steps and they do what their parents have always done. They winterize. But some people don't even know where or how to start. Maybe they relocated from the Valley of the Sun to the North Pole or maybe they are new homeowners and are only now needing to take these steps. Whatever the situation may be though, it's important to keep everyone healthy and safe, so let's take a quick look at the following tips.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

There are literally hundreds of tips online for winterizing your home. Some may not be relevant to you but there is never really any harm in looking them over, right? After all, your family's well-being (and warmth!) could be at stake here.

• Have your heating systems serviced
• Wrap your windows in plastic or use bubble wrap to cover them up
• Use draft stoppers at the base of your doors
• Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working
• Make sure your chimney is clean before using it
• Clear out your gutters
• Keep your trees beside your home trimmed
• Purchase all the shovels, snowblowers, and ice melt that will be needed
• Keep plenty of working flashlights and batteries in the home
• Move furniture off your vents

Preparing Your Family for Winter

In addition to preparing your home, don't forget to get your family ready too! How? Take a look at the following suggestions.

• Check to make sure winter jackets, snow boots, and gloves fit properly or buy more if needed
• Have plenty of layering options available for everyone to wear
• Keep some extra blankets on hand
• Place a winter emergency kit in your care (look online for suggestions on what to fill it with)
• Make sure the medicine cabinet is stocked with needed supplies
• Encourage everyone to stay well-hydrated (yes, even in the winter!)
• Maintain a healthy diet filled with nutrient-dense foods

Don't Worry, Winter Doesn't Last Forever

For most people, winter isn't that big of a deal, but if you happen to live in an area where penguins and polar bears could be your neighbors, you need to take the proper steps to keep yourself and your family safe, healthy, and cozy!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.