Tips to Plan for the Unexpected This Winter
Posted: December 12, 2024 | Word Count: 544
Whether in your home or in your car, winter weather conditions can strike quickly, and being prepared for the unexpected could save you from very dangerous and costly situations. Of the injuries and deaths related to ice and snow, about 70% occur in cars, and 25% happen when people are caught in a storm.1
This article will explore some common yet unexpected winter weather scenarios and share tips to help prepare for them.
Your heat goes out: During a cold spell with dangerously cold wind chills, your furnace stops working, and the house becomes very cold. You call multiple heating repair shops, but they all have long wait times.
No one expects their furnace to fail suddenly, but it's a scenario that happens every year and can become life-threatening quickly, especially for older adults. Around 20% of winter-related deaths due to cold exposure occur within the home.2
To avoid this issue, regularly check and change air filters, ensure vents are unobstructed and test your thermostat. It's a smart idea to schedule a professional maintenance check of your furnace before winter arrives.
Your roof collapses: A big winter storm drops over six inches of heavy and wet snow. Its wet and heavy weight causes a portion of your roof to collapse. Now, the house is unlivable, and you're facing the high costs of an emergency roof repair in the middle of winter.
Weather-related roof collapses occur when heavy snowfall combines with other factors like poor roof design, inadequate maintenance or an older home structure. To prevent this fate, regularly clean gutters and downspouts and call a professional to properly remove snow and ice build-up.
If you're considering a roof repair or replacement and haven't had your roof inspected in a while, don't head into the winter season with uncertainty. Not only does this put you at risk of a roof collapse, but the costs to repair or replace your roof in the winter will be much higher and harder to schedule.
Your car breaks down: While driving home from work late one cold winter's night, your car loses traction and slips off the road into a ditch. You call for a tow, but the driver won't arrive for 30 minutes to an hour.
Personal safety and well-being should be your main concern. Having an emergency kit in your trunk is essential and could save you in a situation where you are forced to wait in your vehicle until help arrives. An emergency kit should include a blanket or extra layers to keep you warm, snacks, water, jumper cables, and a flashlight, flare or high-visibility vest. Additionally, swapping out your tires for winter tires with better traction can significantly improve your car's performance in winter conditions.
Understanding the potential risks presented by winter weather conditions and preparing in advance can significantly increase the safety of you and your family this winter, even in unexpected situations.
To learn more about winter preparedness and what to do if you get stranded this winter, visit Rural Mutual.
