If you live in Ontario, you know that there is a real possibility of severe winter storms. From cold temperatures to several feet of snow, storms can quickly strand homeowners. Ensuring that your home is adequately prepared for harsh winter weather is the best way to survive and thrive. Are you prepping your home for an Ontario winter storm?
Bitter winter temperatures are a real risk when a storm hits. Having your home ready can mean the difference between staying warm and freezing temperature at night. Winter storms can come out of the blue, so it’s essential to be prepared early in the season.
Having a plan, doing essential maintenance, and having backup generators in Ontario are necessary prepping tasks for winter. Let’s look at a few prepping tips to help you get your home ready for winter in Ontario.
Furnace Inspection
When the temperatures drop in the winter in Ontario, your furnace will have to keep up. Finding out that your furnace isn’t working efficiently after a winter storm hits is too late. In the autumn, call in a furnace professional to do an inspection and make sure that your system is ready for any unexpected winter weather emergency. Make sure to change your filters quarterly, and get ready to stay warm and comfortable during a winter storm.
Emergency Generator
If a winter storm knocks out the power, you could be in real trouble if you don’t have a backup generator. Your furnace, electric heat, appliances, and lights all rely on a steady stream of electricity to help you survive a winter storm. A backup emergency generator operates on gasoline and can keep your electricity running when the grid goes down.
Chimney Cleaned
If you are lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, you have an advantage during a winter storm. You can keep your home warm, even if the power is out. The danger comes from the potential for a chimney fire.
If you don’t use your fireplace or stove often, debris can get clogged in your chimney and start a fire when you light it up. Call in a professional chimney inspector and cleaner to make sure that you can safely light a fire when the temperatures start to drop.
Fill Up Your Pantry
Winter storms in Ontario can shut down your entire city for several days. Heavy snow and ice can make it impossible for you to go and get any essential supplies. Before the winter weather hits, you should start stocking up your pantry. Dried foods, pasta, rice, canned soups, and vegetables can help you get through when you and your family get snowed.
Snowblower Maintenance
Let’s face it, shoveling snow is not a fun task! If you are lucky enough to have a snowblower, it’s essential to make sure that it is in working order before the snow starts to fly. A broken-down machine won’t help you clear a path to your home, car, or walkway. Change your oil, filters, and start your snowblower every couple of weeks and let it run for a few minutes to make sure it is good to go.
The threat of devastating winter storms is real when you live in Ontario. Being prepared by following these tips can help you get ready for any emergency and keep your family safe until the snow starts to melt.
Great tips to be ready, another item to have ready is extra batteries. I have a few lantern type lights that run by batteries and only bring out when there is no power. But there have been times when there were no batteries.
Great tip, thanks!