Winter Safety

Winter Safety

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Tracy Vreeland

Winter's cold can sometimes bring some safety concerns, especially when you're desperate to warm up your frozen bones. But there are ways to stay cozy, safe and secure while Old Man Winter makes his way through South Carolina. Consider these winter safety tips for staying warm through the colder months.

Firstly, NEVER use your oven, grill or clothes dryer to heat your home. They can build up dangerous carbon monoxide or cause a fire.

Fire can also be a factor when it comes to space heaters, which should have plenty of space around them. (Three feet is a good distance.) Remember, space heaters are good for small spaces, but they could cost more energy than your HVAC if you're trying to heat a large area. Never sleep with a space heater on or leave one unattended.

Really, you shouldn't sleep with a heated blanket, either. The best practice is to limit its use to 30 minutes at a time, after you make sure all cords are intact and not frayed. Electric blankets are a good way to preheat your bed, so you can crawl into warm sheets on a cold winter's night. But if your heated blanket is older than 10 years, you should replace it.

Some of your best defenses against an electrical fire are your smoke detectors. Check to make sure they are in good working order and batteries are changed annually. Make sure children understand the sound of the alarm and know what to do when they hear it. In fact, you should have a fire escape plan in place and practice it with your family at least once a year, including the youngest in your family and your furry friends.

And lastly, when you venture out, keep extra clothes, blankets and snacks in your car should you get stuck somewhere.

In the meantime, enjoy the cooler weather. Before you know it, we'll be talking about the South's summer heat and humidity.

Interested in learning more winter safety tips? Check out our blog on how to winterize your home.