During the winter months, it can be difficult to keep warm at home or if you’re on the go. If you prepare your home and car before winter hits, you can increase the heat in your home and safety when traveling. Here are some things you can do to help increase the heat in your home:
1. Inspect your furnace and fireplace in advance. The winter is a busy time for repairmen when it comes to furnaces, so having it inspected before the winter hits can help solve a problem before it happens. Fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected to reduce the chances of a fire.
2. Patch up drafty areas around your house. Under doors and through outlets are common areas that allow air to escape from your home. Make sure the rubber strip on the bottom of your door is tight and be sure your light switches and power outlets are properly insulated to reduce the amount of heat lost in your home.
3. Cover your windows at night. Windows lose a bunch of heat through them during the winter. Applying a weather strip to your windows helps keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Using thicker curtains helps insulate the windows. Leaving your curtains open during the day allows the natural heat from the sun to come in through the windows.
It’s also important to be prepared when out on the road in the event of an emergency. Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle that includes a flashlight, batteries, gloves, boots, hats, blankets, a first-aid kit, water, snacks, jumper cables, ice scraper and flares.
Do get a maintenance check-up on your car before the winter months.
Don’t use cruise control.
Do check your tire pressure regularly and get winter tires for your vehicle.
Don’t let your gas tank get below a quarter of a tank.
Do leave extra space between your vehicle and others.
Don’t over steer if you begin to slide.
If you are in need of a warm place to stay, Warming Stations are available in Marion County at Baxter Fire Department, call 304-367-1862, and the Worthington Fire Department, call 304-367-1862, and in Monongalia County at Woodburn Elementary School until 12 p.m. Tuesday, providing warm drinks, snacks, and a place to rest, call 304-367-1862 for more information.
Attorney Timothy Manchin established the Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 after his law partner of more than 25 years became a West Virginia circuit court judge. His focus is on helping individual clients and entire families victimized by negligent acts.
We offer a free initial consultation at our office in the Manchin Professional Building — our home since 1983 — conveniently located in Fairmont.
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