The fall season is fading fast and soon winter will be here, bringing with it thoughts of the holidays and gatherings with family and friends. While most people enjoy preparing for the holidays, many people tend to forget the cold temperatures and snow that winter brings with it. In the midst of all the holiday decorating and baking, you need to start getting your home and your family ready for the long winter days ahead.
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic winter is apt to feel a little differently than usual. You’re going to want to make sure that you have plenty of hand sanitizer and disinfectants around to take care of the nasty germs that tend to descend during flu season, which is going to be made worse thanks to the Covid-19 spread. There are a few things you should be doing to get your home and your family ready for the brutal winter ahead.
From making sure your dogs and cats are safe and sound to making sure that your roof is in good repair and that your insurance company knows of any problems you might have, to have a good water dispenser on hand, just in case the pipes freeze, there’s a lot you can do to prepare. Read on below for a few tips to help you get your family and home ready for the winter season, beyond the holiday cheer.
1. Have your roof inspected.
The changing seasons can take a big toll on your roof. From the heavy rains to the even heavier snow, if your roof isn’t in durable shape, then you could be in for a problem once the temperatures dip and ice starts to form. It’s best to add roof inspection and roof repair into your winter budget than to have to pay for roof repair or replacement once the bitter cold has set in.
You can easily find a roofing company that has years of experience and will be willing to give you a free estimate on the roof repairs you might need to survive the winter. Roofing contractors in Denver or in Colorado Springs will be super busy during this time of year, so your best bet is to schedule an inspection or your roof replacement during the fall months to beat the rush. Whether your roof is residential or you have a commercial roof that needs inspecting the right roofing company can do the job for you with ease.
2. Build up your emergency supplies.
By now you already know that you need candles, lanterns, and an alternative source of heat should a snowstorm knock out your power. You also need extra food and water to get you through until the power is back on. It’s best to have enough food and water stored for at least three days for each family member. One way to ensure you have the water you need is by purchasing a water dispenser so that you have water at the ready if the power should fail. Coldwater is a great beverage when the power is out, and a water cooler ensures that the water is fresh. It’s even a good idea to have a hot water dispenser on hand so that you can make instant soups and other meals if the power is out.
Don’t forget to make sure you have batteries for your flashlights, plenty of blankets, and a portable radio to get through an emergency if one should occur. Make sure that your winter survival kit is fully stocked before the first storm of the season hits to be on the safe side.
3. Gather pet clothing and accessories.
Pets need you to prepare for the winter months, just like you do. You want to pull out that pet stroller to take them for evening walks when it’s cold, or for the not so cold days, you need an awesome harness from JoyrideHarness so that your dog is taken care of when you go for walks. Whether you have a gorgeous goldie, a poodle, or a pair of poodles that require a double dog leash, you want that leash to be snug for safety, but loose enough that your dog is comfortable and the harness doesn’t chafe.
Another thing you want to do to prepare your dog for the winter season ahead is to buy them some little sweaters for the cold days when you’re out and about. Your pet gets cold just like you do, so prepare them for the cold with pet clothing and accessories.
4. Start building up your immune system.
As soon as the weather starts to cool in the fall of the year, you and your family should start building up your immune systems. You already know that you need to exercise and eat your veggies and fruits in order to be healthy, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded when the winter is coming fast. The more fruits and veggies you eat the better. You can also take vitamins to help with nutrients you might not be getting and add homemade chicken soups to your diet to increase your immune system as well.
What you don’t want to do is eat a lot of fried, greasy foods, and it’s best to stay away from junk food. While the months starting in October and heading through December are full of foods that are unhealthy, you need to strike a balance. Eat veggies and fruits, take your vitamins, drink plenty of cold water, and your immune system should be fine.
5. Have your HVAC unit inspected.
One of the first things you should do as the summer winds down is schedule an inspection for your HVAC unit with a reputable service technician. The last thing you need is to wake up on a bitterly cold winter’s morning, only to find that your house is as cold as the outside. It’s also important to schedule that inspection early on, as HVAC companies tend to get super busy when the first winter storms hit. Make sure that you and your family are warm and toasty this winter by having your HVAC unit inspected and repaired if needed.
Bonus! Keep plenty of hot cocoa on hand.
While this might not be something that’s essential to your winter survival, there’s nothing wrong with keeping hot cocoa on hand during the dead of winter. Don’t forget to keep mini marshmallows, whipped cream, and cinnamon in the house also. They make the perfect toppings for hot cocoa on a bitterly cold day.
There’s nothing like curling up with the kids on a cold winter’s evening, in front of the fireplace with mugs of hot cocoa and a bowl of popcorn. It’s the perfect time to read together, watch movies, play board games, or just tell stories of the past. While winter is a time to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for the long, bitter cold ahead, it’s also a time to spend together just being a family. There’s nothing better than that.
These are only a few things that you should be doing to prepare yourself and your home for this upcoming winter season. Remember, getting all of your preparations out of the way at the end of the fall gives you more time to do the things you enjoy for the rest of the year.
