Lindenhurst NY Homes - Winter Home Safety Tips

It's always good to remind everyone about winter safety in and out of the home.

FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

Meet with your family to create a plan. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school). Choose an out-of-area friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family becomes separated.

Implement your plan. Post emergency telephone numbers by the phones. Install safety features in your house such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. Inspect your home for potential hazards and correct them. Have your family learn basic safety and first aid measures. Make sure everyone knows how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency medical services phone number. Have disaster supplies on hand. Make arrangements for pets.

HOME EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Winter has arrived and stockpile the following supplies in the event a winter storm or power outage prevents you from leaving your home.

Flashlights and extra batteries.
Battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries.
Emergency non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration. Non-electric can opener.
Bottled water (one gallon per person per day).
One week supply of essential medicines.
Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
First aid kit and manual.
List of family physicians, important medical information, and the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.
Change of clothing and sturdy shoes for each family member.
Fire extinguisher.Identification, credit cards/cash, and photocopies of important family documents including home insurance information.
Emergency heating equipment, used properly.

WINTERIZE YOUR HOME
1. Have your heating system checked by a professional annually. This will ensure that your system is working safely and efficiently which, in turn, will save you money. If you heat by wood, clean your fireplace or stove. Have your chimney flue checked for any buildup of creosote and then cleaned to lessen the risk of fire.
2. Make sure your home is properly insulated. If necessary, insulate walls and attic. This will help you to conserve energy and reduce your home's power demands for heat.
3. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out.4. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside. This will provide an extra layer of insulation, keeping more cold air out.
5. Inspect and flush your water heater.6. Clean gutters. Leaves and other debris will hamper drainage.7. Replace batteries of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors. If you did not do it when you set the clocks back, do it now.
8. To keep pipes from freezing:
Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers.
Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
Know how to shut off water valves.

STAYING WARM INDOORS
If your heat goes out during a winter storm, you can keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.
Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters. Always follow manufacturer's instructions.

Dress in layers of lightweight clothing and wear a cap.

Eat well-balanced meals.

Losing your heat when winter's winds are howling is not pleasant. However, by following these simple tips, you will weather the storm more comfortably.

PROTECTING WATER PIPES

To prevent the mess and aggravation of frozen water pipes, protect your home, apartment or business by following the simple steps below.

Before Cold Weather

1. Locate and insulate pipes most susceptible to freezing, typically those near outer walls, in crawl spaces or in the attic.

2. Wrap pipes with heat tape (UL approved).

3. Seal any leaks that allow cold air inside where pipes are located.

4. Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When It's Cold

1. Let hot and cold water trickle at night from a faucet on an outside wall.

2. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or appliance near an outer wall.

3. Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

4. If you plan to be away: (1) Have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or (2) drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).

If Pipes Freeze

1. Make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst. Stopping the water flow minimize the damage to your home. Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent.

2. Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch.

3. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT

If you lose electrical service during the winter, follow these tips:

1. Call your utility first to determine area repair schedules. Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored.

2. To help prevent freezing pipes, turn on faucets slightly. Running water will not freeze as quickly.

3. Protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning:
DO NOT operate generators indoors; the motor emits deadly carbon monoxide gas.
DO NOT use charcoal to cook indoors. It, too, can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide gas.
DO NOT use your gas oven to heat your home -- prolonged use of an open oven in a closed house can create carbon monoxide gas. Make sure fuel space heaters are used with proper ventilation.

4. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help reduce food spoilage.

FIRE SAFETY

Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and heaters can add a cozy glow, but make sure you are using them safely.
1. Always keep a screen around an open flame.
2. Never use gasoline to start your fireplace.
3. Never burn charcoal indoors.
4. Do not close the damper when ashes are hot.
5. When using alternative heat sources such as a fireplace, woodstove, etc. always make sure you have proper ventilation. Keep curtains, towels and potholders away from hot surfaces.
6. Have your chimney checked before the season for creosote buildup -- and then clean it.
7. Have a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors ... and make sure they work! Establish a well-planned escape route with the entire family.

SAFETY FIRST FOR KIDS

Hey, kids! Winter can be a fun-filled time when enjoying outdoor activities such as skiing, skating and sledding. However, before going out, follow these safety tips:

1. The best way to stay safe in a snowstorm is to stay inside. Long periods of exposure to severe cold increase the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.

2. If you go out to play after the storm, dress in many layers of clothing and wear a hat and mittens. Many layers of thin clothing are warmer than a single layer of thick clothing. One of the best ways to stay warm is to wear a hat; most body heat is lost through the top of the head.

3. Come inside often for warm-up breaks.

4. If you start to shiver a lot or get very tired, or if your nose, fingers, toes or earlobes start to feel numb of turn very pale, come inside right away and tell an adult. These are signs of hypothermia and frostbite. If you experience these symptoms, you will need immediate attention to prevent further risk.

Remember these tips when you go out to play and listen to your parents when they tell you it's time to come in :)

PROTECTING PETS

Winter is a time we should pay close attention to the safety of our pets. Here are some safety tips to follow:

1. Ingesting anti-freeze can be fatal for your dog or cat. It has a sweet taste and even a tiny amount can cause severe kidney damage and even death. If you spill some, soak it up immediately. (Clay kitty litter works well. Discard the litter once the anti-freeze has been absorbed.)

2. Pets that live outdoors should be fed a bit more in the winter because they need the extra calories to stay warm. They also should have fresh water put out a couple of times a day, or consider a special bowl that prevents the water from freezing.

3. If your pet goes outdoors, be aware of the temperature. Pets can get frostbite very easily on the ears, tail and paws.

4. When walking your dog, check the paws to make sure that ice is not building up between the toes and that salt from the roads is not irritating the skin.

5. If your dog is a swimmer, keep it on a leash around open water or unstable ice. Hypothermia can set in quickly and the dog may be unable to get out of the water.

6. Before you start your car, you should honk the horn to make sure that a cat has not decided to nap in a warm spot under the hood of the vehicle.

7. If decorating for the holidays, keep ornaments out of the reach of your pets. Remember that poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and other plants can be toxic if ingested.