Winterize Your Home & Car
Preparing for Winter Weather
Getting ready for winter weather
Fall has arrived in Merced –or so they tell us – so while the weather is still somewhat warm it’s time to get ready for the wind and rain. Knowing that bad weather presents some real challenges to both homeowners and renters we at Executive Edge Insurance have put together some tips to help you get ready for winter.
Preparing your home
Perform basic winter maintenance — insulate your walls and attic, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and insulate water lines that run along outer walls. When temperatures drop, keep water taps slightly open so they drip continuously, and keep the cabinets under sinks open to allow warmer air in.
If you use a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney or flue inspected each year. Make sure your house has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test them monthly.
Check your emergency supplies and ensure that you have adequate food and water, along with a battery-powered radio, in the event of an extended power outage. You’ll want a week’s worth of supplies, or more if you live in a remote area.
Never use gas-powered generators or barbecue grills indoors. These can allow deadly carbon monoxide to build up.
Replace or clean filters in your heating unit.
Schedule an inspection of your system by a heating professional. Don’t wait until it is freezing outside to make sure your heating unit works properly. Regular maintenance and inspections help to ensure you don’t set your house on fire.
Preparing your car
Have your vehicle serviced according to manufacturer recommendations. Check the antifreeze level.
Keep the gas tank near full, which helps avoid ice in the fuel lines and the gas tank itself.
Replace wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture.
Make sure your tires are in good shape and have the proper air pressure.
Check to confirm your battery has a good charge, your heater and defroster are working well, and that your emergency lights are functional.
Preparing yourself
Always wear temperature-appropriate clothing, such as hats, gloves, scarves, etc. Remove any wet clothing immediately. And keep spare clothing in your car trunk throughout winter in case you are stranded or stuck.
Stay hydrated. You might think this is more important when it’s warm outside, but it’s just as vital in winter.
Be mindful of physical exertion and the amount of time you’re spending outdoors. Shoveling snow is hard work, so don’t overdo it!
Contact Us!
At Executive Edge Insurance we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 209-385-3343 or send us a note at Generalbox@eeins.com We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!
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Kelly Spies
Executive Edge Insurance Services
320 E Yosemite Ave Ste 101
Merced, Ca 95340
209-385-EDGE
