Four of the 10 coldest days of the 21st century in the 48 contiguous U.S. states occurred this month, including first and second.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) January 27, 2014
This winter has been a harsh one, and this week is no exception. Wind chills could drop as low as minus 40 in some areas of Chicago tonight. Last Wednesday, New York saw temperatures of 37 below zero, and according to Bloomberg Businessweek on Janaury 24th, “four of the 10 coldest days of the 21st century in the 48 contiguous U.S. states occurred this month, including first and second.”
As we prepare for more snow and cold weather, how do we protect ourselves and our homes? CF Funding has put together a few tips to keep you safe. First of all, make sure your home is heated to a minimum of 65 degrees. Although the cost of heating your home may seem out of budget this winter, put your safety first to prevent walls and pipes from freezing. One way to keep cold air from entering the home is to weatherstrip your doors, or keep a towel or rug along the bottom of the doors and/or windows.
CF Funding suggests that you wrap pipes with foam insulation or heat tape to prevent freezing and bursting. Keep cabinets open under the sink to keep the area ventilated. Be sure to run the water periodically in all sinks in your home.
Flooding from melting snow can also pose a large risk to you and your home. One precaution you may take is to ventilate your attic well, so the warm temperatures do not melt snow on the roof. The water can refreeze at the edge of your roof, and “If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.” There are also heated gutter guards made for this purpose, but they can be expensive.
If you feel that your home may be at risk for flooding, make sure electrical devices are raised off of the ground or kept out the basement, especially near windows. You may want to use plastic sheeting to cover cracks in walls or roofs. If flooding does occur from melting snow or a pipe burst, be sure to initiate cleanup as soon as it is safe to do so, to prevent rust and mold from forming. Ventilate the area with fans.
An easy tip that could save your family’s life is to prepare an emergency kit. Make sure you have extra blankets, candles and lighters in case the power goes out. Keep your phones charged or purchase a backup battery to make sure you stay alerted, and can call for help if needed. You can also purchase a battery operated radio for as low as $15. Keep canned foods, cereals, and water stocked in case you are snowed in for an extended period of time.
CF Funding asks that you do not underestimate the dangers of cold weather. At least 17 deaths have occurred already this winter due to the snow and cold. Please bundle up and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family.