Staying One Step Ahead of the Winter Chill

Seasons are drastically changing, seemingly coming and going as they please without much warning, and getting caught off guard is not something likely to be a pleasant experience. This is especially true for the colder, winter months when that sudden chill gets right to the core of your home and being, but with a little preparedness and being one step ahead of the game, come rain or shine, you’ll soon be welcoming any season with open arms and not a worry in the world.

Winter, with all its frostiness and chilly mornings, does have a magical beauty about it. Seeing rolling hills dusted in white, trees looking like they’ve been decorated ready to be cake toppers, and nothing is more enjoyable in the cold season than sitting in front of the fire with a blanket and hot beverage or glass of wine, or even just having a great heater system keeping you toasty as you watch family movies.

With this being said, ensuring your home is equipped and ready for the winter period is something less daunting than you may think. We dive into everything you could need or want for winter basics for both the indoor and outdoor home preparations, so when that first snow or winter bite rolls in you and your home are ready.

The Importance of Preparations

Thinking about being ready for cold months ahead is more than just layering up on clothing or stocking up on firewood, knowing you are prepared not only gives you peace of mind but will certainly keep you safe. Winter brings with it risks of damage and unwanted maintenance or repairs, or worse, replacements of certain elements around the home, thus, being one step ahead of the game also works in your favor of being more cost-effective.

Before you begin feeling overwhelmed, taking the time to walk around the home and making a list of things that need tending to is a great place to start. There are plenty of tools, kits, and essentials you could purchase, but ensuring you have the highest quality winter products from reputable suppliers will serve you well. The investment in purchasing the right items the first time around is well worth it and won’t leave you lost and in a tight situation, if something were to happen, the last thing you want is to be left stranded in an igloo of a home because you wanted to save on a few pennies.

So, let’s dive in and see what you can do well ahead of time (not leaving it to the last minute when stocks are likely to sell out) to ready your home both indoors and out to ensure a cozy, safe winter season.

The Great Outdoors

Outdoor home prep is as important as inside, and this is because overnight temperatures can drop dramatically. Gearing up on items like insulated gloves and thermal boots is great for heading outdoors but the equipment you need could be the difference between a great day and one that begins with mountains of snow shoveling and unpleasantness. Items ideal to have ready on hand;

Snow Shovels and Scrapers

Opting for something sturdy is going to be your best option. Snow can quickly become compacted, and tough to penetrate with a thin flimsy shovel, so ensuring you purchase one with a good handle to grip, a solid pole post, and ideally a sharp edge (metal and plastic are both great) will keep morning snow shoveling to a minimum.

Another necessity is an ice scraper for those early school runs or work commutes when the windshield and windows have shut themselves off with a layer of ice. Scraping this with the plastic end of the ‘bear-claw’ and then brushing the loose debris away with the brush side means less hassle, and no hot water kettles (this does not help).

Ice Melters and Spreaders

Magnesium chloride pellets are perfect for scattering over the driveway or stairs to quickly melt ice. These granules are quick and easy to administer and are pet and environmentally safe so you have one less thing to worry about. They often come in small packs easy to sprinkle, or larger options for bigger surfaces with a hose-bottle attachment.

Insulation

Pipework and cables are the first and easiest to be affected by cold or frost. Be sure you use pipe wrap insulation tape, foam faucet covers, and barrier foil tape for outdoor cables to keep them protected from the elements.

Cozy Comforts Indoors

You are more than likely going to be spending a lot of time inside during winter so why not make it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible? Fear not if you do not have a fireplace, there are still plenty of warming-the-home options that can be implemented. There are a whole host of items considered essentials, these top options will ensure you have all your bases covered.

• Weather stripping – Drafts can be a nightmare, sealing any areas of the home from window frames and sills to door nooks and crannies will prevent any winds from trying to get in.
• Heaters – You can opt for something small and compact to turn the air in bedrooms or smaller, unused areas of the home to larger, more powerful fan heaters which not only generate good heat but ensure the air moves and does not get stagnant.
• Air purifiers or humidifiers – Filtering the air in the home, especially during winter when more people tend to be indoors and in communal spaces, helps to prevent germs and illnesses. These are great for ensuring high-quality air in the home.
• HVAC – Check your system is up to date, no repairs are needed, and that the thermostats are reading correctly.

A Sigh of Relief

It may seem like a lot of work to do, but once you have your seasonal routines in place, each season will be seemingly easier to prep for and restock where needed than the last.

With any home there is always going to be ongoing maintenance, repairs, and replacements from time to time, but if there is one piece of advice that will take you a long way is to always opt for quality winter products rather than simply the cheapest option. You will be grateful for it long-term and your family will be warm and safe. Here’s to a cozy winter season.