10/13/2023
Handy Dandy Info for heading into the fall/winter season:
Winter Weather Preparation
Winter is a time for ice storms. Unexpected events can be frightening and stressful, but being properly prepared can reduce danger and the potential for property damage. At this time of year, think about how you can prepare your home, your family and your belongings for what may be coming in weeks or months to come.
At Home
Drain outdoor pipes and faucets. Disconnect hoses from faucets, drain them, and bring them inside for the winter. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, drain the water in the pipes to winterize it. To do this, follow the sprinkler’s manufacturer instructions.
Remove dead, diseased or dying branches from trees. Do this before winter arrives. Not sure if your trees are healthy? Look for signs like early loss of leaves, fewer than normal leaves, no new growth in spring, mushrooms on the trunk, and cankers on the trunk. Hiring a pro to remove branches? Check that they’re licensed either with CCB or LCB (Landscape Contractors Board).
Service your chimney and furnace. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected before the first fire of the season. Contact an HVAC professional to look over your furnace or heat pump ahead of the cold weather. Keep in mind that your chimney cleaner and HVAC repair person should be licensed with the CCB. You can search for the license on our website to see the license history and to ensure that the license is active.
Clean gutters. Cleaning the gutters keeps water draining throughout the winter and prevents standing water from freezing and backing up onto the roof during severe cold spells. Hiring a pro? They don’t need to be licensed with CCB unless they’re repairing or replacing the gutters, but it’s still a good idea to check that they have worker’s comp insurance if they have employees.
Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating is a leading cause of US home fires and home fire injuries. December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires. Space heaters account for one-third of the fires, as well as the vast majority of deaths and injuries in home fires caused by heating equipment. Check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries before using your furnace or fireplace this winter.
Using a generator? Stay safe. Familiarize yourself with general generator safety. To permanently connect a generator to your home’s wiring, have the work done by a licensed electrician. Never run a generator indoors, as the engine exhaust contains toxic carbon monoxide.
On the Road
Assemble a roadside safety kit for your car. Include a blanket, gloves, food and water, a flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables, automotive fluids and flares. Keep it in your trunk in a duffel or a box.
Stay informed when traveling. The TripCheck website keeps travelers up to date on road conditions and road closures. It also provides camera views of high traffic roads. Travelers in Oregon can dial 511 to access the same immediate road and weather information available on TripCheck.
Buy chains for your vehicle tires to use on snowy roads. Practice putting them on your tires once you get them, so you’re ready when the first big storm happens. Have questions about Oregon’s chain law? Here’s an explanation on the TripCheck website.
Spray de-icer in your vehicle locks ahead of very low temperatures. The de-icer will need to be sprayed into the cylinder, not on the outside.
Disasters Happen – Be Ready
Sometimes winter storms turn into winter disasters, with power outages, road closures, and more. These tips can help you get ready.
Program your support network’s contact into your phone.
Watching out for a senior relative? Make sure they have your contact info in their phone, as well as a few others they can rely on.
Include your neighbors’ contact information in your emergency plan.
Download apps like the FEMA app and American Red Cross app to stay updated on all severe weather and emergency alerts.
How old is your emergency preparedness kit? Check it! Get rid of any expired protein bars or drinks and replace them. If your family has grown or changed, update your emergency preparedness kit to accommodate those changes.
