Five Home Security Tips to Stay Safe During a Pennsylvania Winter
With the changing of the seasons, winter is just around the corner. When it comes to chillier evenings starting to set in across the state of Pennsylvania, it means time to check up on various aspects of home life. After all, waiting until the winter has already arrived, whether living in Scranton or Philadelphia, is definitely not the best idea. If the heater conks out in the middle of the season's biggest blizzard, chances are that the repair guy is not going to be able to rush out and make a house call. That's why it's so important to take care of things beforehand, so that there's no stressing out in the moment.
For winter and chillier weather, home security means being prepared to deal with any kind of conditions that might end up coming your way. Here are five tips for staying safe and toasty all winter long, no matter what part of Pennsylvania you call home.
#1 - Check windows and doors. Make sure that they are secure, that glass isn't cracked and that windowsills aren't rotten. This way, if there is heavy snowfall or rain, there is less of a chance that moisture will seep into the house, causing damage, and that gale force winds will lead to chilly temperatures inside as well as outdoors.
#2 - Get heaters looked at. Because it makes a lot more sense to have this done beforehand, rather than in the middle of serious weather. A huge part of home security for those living a bit further from the nearest town is making sure that staying warm in the heart of a heavy storm is feasible, and the easiest way to do this is by making sure that it's possible to keep one's living space warm. So be sure that heaters are fully functioning before it becomes crucial to crank them up.
#3 - Keep flammable objects away from heaters and fireplaces. This might seem obvious, but if homeowners have grown accustomed to throwing bags on top of iron radiators all summer long, sometimes switching to paying attention to the fact they currently are hot can take a couple of tries. Also make sure that young children and pets are not playing unsupervised around heaters and fireplaces, and consider putting fires in fireplaces out before bedtime, when they cannot be monitored.
#4 - Install carbon monoxide detectors. Most of the contemporary models can even be hooked up to pre-existing home alarm systems, meaning that it's easy to make sure any leak in gas results in immediate--and loud--alarm noises. With more devices being used during the winter months that give off carbon monoxide, it's a particularly important time to pay attention and make sure that all is taken care of.
#5 - Stock up on important supplies. This might seem a bit alarmist, but it's always best to be prepared to get stuck at home for a couple of days in winter, especially if you're living further from the nearest town than most. This means having enough drinkable water for all members of the family, plus some food that is non-perishable and that's easy to open. Stocking up on extra batteries, keeping a flashlight and some matches, and being sure to have extra blankets and warm clothing is also important.
For winter and chillier weather, home security means being prepared to deal with any kind of conditions that might end up coming your way. Here are five tips for staying safe and toasty all winter long, no matter what part of Pennsylvania you call home.
#1 - Check windows and doors. Make sure that they are secure, that glass isn't cracked and that windowsills aren't rotten. This way, if there is heavy snowfall or rain, there is less of a chance that moisture will seep into the house, causing damage, and that gale force winds will lead to chilly temperatures inside as well as outdoors.
#2 - Get heaters looked at. Because it makes a lot more sense to have this done beforehand, rather than in the middle of serious weather. A huge part of home security for those living a bit further from the nearest town is making sure that staying warm in the heart of a heavy storm is feasible, and the easiest way to do this is by making sure that it's possible to keep one's living space warm. So be sure that heaters are fully functioning before it becomes crucial to crank them up.
#3 - Keep flammable objects away from heaters and fireplaces. This might seem obvious, but if homeowners have grown accustomed to throwing bags on top of iron radiators all summer long, sometimes switching to paying attention to the fact they currently are hot can take a couple of tries. Also make sure that young children and pets are not playing unsupervised around heaters and fireplaces, and consider putting fires in fireplaces out before bedtime, when they cannot be monitored.
#4 - Install carbon monoxide detectors. Most of the contemporary models can even be hooked up to pre-existing home alarm systems, meaning that it's easy to make sure any leak in gas results in immediate--and loud--alarm noises. With more devices being used during the winter months that give off carbon monoxide, it's a particularly important time to pay attention and make sure that all is taken care of.
#5 - Stock up on important supplies. This might seem a bit alarmist, but it's always best to be prepared to get stuck at home for a couple of days in winter, especially if you're living further from the nearest town than most. This means having enough drinkable water for all members of the family, plus some food that is non-perishable and that's easy to open. Stocking up on extra batteries, keeping a flashlight and some matches, and being sure to have extra blankets and warm clothing is also important.
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