Tag: Winter

Stay Cozy and Safe: Tips for Safely Warming Your Home This Winter

On By jchasewesternmutualcomIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

As the cold winds of winter sweep in, staying warm and cozy becomes a top priority. However, ensuring your home is heated safely is just as important as keeping it comfortable. Here’s a guide to help you heat your home effectively and avoid common hazards. 

1. Inspect Your Heating System 

Before temperatures drop, have your heating system professionally inspected and maintained. This includes: 

Furnaces and Boilers: Check for cracks, leaks, or blockages. Replace filters as needed. 

Chimneys: Clean and inspect for debris or creosote buildup that could lead to fires. 

Electric Heaters: Ensure all wiring is intact and that heaters have auto shut-off features. 

2. Choose Heaters Wisely 

Portable heaters are a popular choice for supplemental warmth, but they require careful use: 

Space Heaters: Keep them at least 3 feet away from flammable items like curtains or furniture. Always turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep. 

3. Monitor for Carbon Monoxide 

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Protect your household by: 

Installing CO detectors near sleeping areas and on each level of your home. 

Testing detectors regularly and replacing batteries as needed. 

Never use outdoor appliances, such as grills or generators, indoors. 

4. Maintain Fire Safety 

Heating appliances are a leading cause of house fires during winter. Reduce the risk by: 

Keeping a fire extinguisher nearby and knowing how to use it. 

Avoiding overloading electrical outlets. 

Never use ovens or stoves as a heating source. 

5. Maximize Heat Efficiency 

Reduce heating costs and stay comfortable by improving your home’s insulation: 

Seal Drafts: Use weatherstripping or caulk to block drafts around doors and windows. 

Curtains: Open them during the day to let in sunlight and close them at night to trap heat. 

Rugs and Mats: Cover bare floors to prevent heat loss. 

6. Layer Up and Stay Active 

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best: 

Wear cozy layers and warm socks indoors. 

Use heated blankets or hot water bottles. 

Stay active with light exercise or household chores to generate body heat. 

7. Prepare for Emergencies 

Winter storms can knock out power, leaving you without heat. Be ready with: 

An emergency kit with blankets, flashlights, and non-perishable food. 

A backup heating source, such as a wood stove or battery-powered heater. 

A plan to stay with friends or family if extended power outages occur. 

In Summary 

Warming your home safely in winter is a balance of preparation, vigilance, and smart practices. By maintaining your heating systems, practicing fire safety, and staying alert to potential hazards like carbon monoxide, you can enjoy a snug and secure winter season. 

Stay warm and stay safe! 

Visit us online at WestenMutual.com

Family Fun Ideas for Winter

On By Western Mutual BlogIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Is it too cold to go outside? We have some suggestions that’ll let you enjoy the winter season while staying indoors.

If you have little ones to entertain and keep busy, try baking cookies and letting them decorate to show off their creativity. Build forts with blankets and pillows for an unforgettable fun time.

Challenge them to complete a puzzle or work on their board game expertise.

If it’s just you and your better half, we say take it easy with a movie marathon and popcorn.

Movies aren’t your thing? Test your culinary skills by creating a meal with only the items in your pantry. And there is always the option of playing music and tackling the house cleaning with some dance moves. Whatever you choose, stay warm and let us know your cold weather ideas.

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Cold Weather Prep

On By Western Mutual BlogIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

It is beginning to look a lot like winter!  In order to prepare you and your families for cooler weather, we have created a cold weather checklist! Check it out below and please add any ones we missed in the comments below!

  • Close off unneeded rooms and place towels or rugs over cracks under the doors to keep the warm air in and cool air out
  • If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a good supply of firewood that can keep you and your family warm in the event of power outages
  • Have flashlights and batteries available for blackouts and avoid using candles as they can become a fire hazard
  • Provide shelter for pets and the elderly
  • Bring plants inside to protect them from the elements
  • Use blackout curtains as they prevent heat loss
  • Reverse your ceiling fans to make them spin clockwise and create an updraft that pushes warm air around the room without creating a wind chill
  • Clean the gutters off of your roof as when clogged, rain and melted snow can cause leaks and damage to your home’s infrastructure
  • Maintain tree limbs and brush because wind, rain, snow and ice can cause them to break and fall

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Rainy Season

On By Western Mutual BlogIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Rainy season is just around the corner and there are some tasks we all need to add to our fall to-do list in order to be ready for the upcoming winter season! When is the last time you cleaned out your rain gutters? What about checked for signs of leakage in your home from the foundation or roof area? Are windows sealed, preventing warm air from escaping and cool air from entering? Do you have sandbags on hand to help protect your home in a downpour? When is the last time someone inspected your heater for carbon monoxide emissions to prevent deadly gasses from circulating in your home?

It looks like we all have our work cut out for us! Please share any tips and tricks or things we have missed in the comments below! Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

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Energy Saving Tips

On By Western Mutual BlogIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

With winter, comes the cooler weather. Please see some energy (and money) saving tips below:

  • Try installing quilted curtains over drafty windows to help keep the heat inside
  • Use weather stripping, window film and calking to control heat loss around doors, windows and baseboards
  • Opening blinds and curtains during the day and closing them at night allows you to warm up your home and keep the heat in
  • When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as feels comfortable
  • Schedule service on your heating system
  • Replace your heater’s filter as often as recommended by the manufacturer
  • If you have working fireplaces, you should get your chimneys cleaned by an experienced chimney sweep as it will help decrease the risk of fire from buildup or blockages

Do you have any tips and tricks of your own? Please share them with others below!