- 1). Get your car winterized. Check fluid levels. Inspect or replace your tires. A good winter car inspection can go a long way to make your car a lot more secure.
- 2). Invest in snow tires. For added security, especially with a lightweight vehicle, buy 50-pound sandbags and place them in the middle and back of your car for balance.
- 3). Pack a car safety kit. Pack a flashlight, non-perishable food to sustain you, a snow shovel, extra blankets, first-aid kit, flares and hand and feet warmers in case you are stranded during a winter storm. This forward-thinking can be a lifesaver.
- 4). Insulate your home. Energy may be escaping from your home and you may not even realize it. An added perk of insulation is lower utility bills. Do a thorough inventory of your house to make sure all drafts have been identified and remedied. It may pay to have a professional inspect your home. The professional can identify all areas that need to be sealed and offer any other solutions for your specific home that will help keep you warm on those chilly nights and make for more energy-efficient surroundings.
- 5). Check your furnace. They should be serviced yearly to make sure the filter and nozzle are in good working order.
- 6). Don't play with fire. Remove any flammable objects near any electric heating appliances or devices of any kind. Many fires during the winter months are caused by heating appliances which have set nearby materials or objects on fire.
- 7). Remember the outside of your home. Invest in good winter gear to keep the outside of your home safe for yourself and visitors. Be sure to get sand or salt to spread on your sidewalks and driveway, so it doesn't pose a hazard for those walking on it when the ice comes. Be sure to have a good shovel and, if you're in a particularly nasty area of the country, a snowblower is a necessity.
- 8). Outfit your house with a winter kit. Have enough non-perishable food to get you through several days if you're snowed in or without electricity, as has happened in recent years with brutal ice storms sweeping though the Midwest. You should also include a weather radio, first-aid kit, a non-electric charger for your phone in case there is a power outage and you can't use a traditional charger and bottled water.
- 9). Update your closet. Make sure you and your family have appropriate winter gear, especially if you are not accustomed to Midwest winters. You'll want good, practical, lined winter boots with decent traction. You'll also want a nice parka or warm coat, as well as long johns and/or ski pants. A hat or other protective head covering is a must, as are lined gloves.
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